PBPH vs. VXUS
PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBPH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index, while VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PBPH charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.
Performance
PBPH vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PBPH achieves a -1.13% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 14.25% return.
PBPH
- 1D
- 0.58%
- 1M
- 0.07%
- YTD
- -1.13%
- 6M
- -0.02%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VXUS
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- 4.68%
- YTD
- 14.25%
- 6M
- 16.92%
- 1Y
- 32.01%
- 3Y*
- 19.30%
- 5Y*
- 8.46%
- 10Y*
- 9.76%
PBPH vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | -1.13% | 0.76% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 14.25% | 3.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between PBPH and VXUS is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 26, 2025 | 0.47 |
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Return for Risk
PBPH vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank
PBPH
VXUS
PBPH vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PBPH | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | — | 2.12 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.53 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.57 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | -0.04 | 0.39 | -0.43 |
Drawdowns
PBPH vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PBPH drawdown since its inception was -11.10%, smaller than the maximum VXUS drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBPH and VXUS.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PBPH | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -11.10% | -35.97% | +24.87% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -11.27% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -13.58% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -29.44% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.97% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.69% | -0.99% | -7.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.23% | -8.22% | +3.99% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 2.88% | — |
Volatility
PBPH vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| PBPH | VXUS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 5.60% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 13.00% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.78% | 15.21% | +1.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.78% | 16.05% | +0.73% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.78% | 17.16% | -0.38% |
PBPH vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison
PBPH has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
PBPH vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison
PBPH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than VXUS's 2.66% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF | 2.66% | 3.18% | 3.37% | 3.24% | 3.09% | 3.10% | 2.14% | 3.06% | 3.18% | 2.73% | 2.93% | 2.83% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PBPH and VXUS have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBPH.
VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.
PBPH is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while VXUS is Global Equities. PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Portfolio Building Block and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for PBPH and 0.05% for VXUS.
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