PCY vs. VWO
PCY (Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PCY is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the DB Emerging Market USD Liquid Balanced Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PCY returned 1.97%/yr vs 7.86%/yr for VWO. Their 0.38 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. PCY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.
Performance
PCY vs. VWO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PCY achieves a -0.05% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 9.41% return. Over the past 10 years, PCY has underperformed VWO with an annualized return of 1.97%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively higher 7.86% annualized return.
PCY
- 1D
- -0.05%
- 1M
- -2.89%
- 6M
- -0.09%
- YTD
- -0.05%
- 1Y
- 7.63%
- 3Y*
- 8.81%
- 5Y*
- 0.74%
- 10Y*
- 1.97%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.54%
VWO
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- -0.49%
- 6M
- 4.16%
- YTD
- 9.41%
- 1Y
- 21.69%
- 3Y*
- 14.84%
- 5Y*
- 6.08%
- 10Y*
- 7.86%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.81%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $4.18M | $4.81M | $6.27M | |
| $386.61M | $469.40M | $499.89M |
PCY vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PCY Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF | -0.05% | 16.31% | 2.55% | 18.48% | -24.47% | -4.30% | 2.29% | 17.66% | -6.16% | 9.71% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 9.41% | 25.60% | 10.59% | 9.25% | -17.98% | 1.26% | 15.17% | 20.75% | -14.76% | 31.49% |
Correlation
The correlation between PCY and VWO is 0.56, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.46 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.47 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2007 | 0.38 |
The correlation between PCY and VWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (all time) to 0.56 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
PCY vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank
PCY
VWO
PCY vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| PCY | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.14 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.22 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.37 | 1.89 | -0.52 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.11 | 6.16 | -1.05 |
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Drawdowns
PCY vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PCY drawdown since its inception was -49.13%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCY and VWO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PCY | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.13% | -67.68% | +18.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.91% | -11.17% | +5.26% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.03% | -17.37% | +7.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.17% | -30.88% | -6.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.78% | -36.39% | -1.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.32% | -4.07% | +0.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.92% | -15.73% | +8.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.58% | 3.43% | -1.85% |
Volatility
PCY vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (PCY) is 1.80%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that PCY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PCY | VWO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.80% | 5.58% | -3.78% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.05% | 15.22% | -9.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.39% | 17.58% | -10.19% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.19% | 17.56% | -4.37% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 12.94% | 19.17% | -6.23% |
PCY vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison
PCY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
PCY vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison
PCY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.02%, more than VWO's 2.35% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PCY Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF | 6.02% | 5.93% | 6.65% | 6.48% | 6.81% | 4.80% | 4.45% | 4.78% | 4.93% | 4.80% | 5.19% | 5.46% |
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 2.35% | 2.79% | 3.20% | 3.52% | 4.11% | 2.63% | 1.91% | 3.23% | 2.88% | 2.30% | 2.52% | 3.26% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PCY and VWO have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VWO has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to PCY (1.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCY dropped -49.13% vs VWO's -67.68%.
On 10-year performance, VWO leads with 7.86% vs 1.97% for PCY. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, PCY has been the lower-risk option at 1.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VWO has performed better with a 7.86% return vs 1.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PCY.
PCY has the higher dividend yield at 6.02%, compared with 2.35% for VWO.
PCY is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. PCY tracks DB Emerging Market USD Liquid Balanced Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PCY and 0.08% for VWO.
VWO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.20 vs 1.09), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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