PXH vs. VSS

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

PXH (Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PXH is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Index, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PXH returned 10.44%/yr vs 7.98%/yr for VSS. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PXH charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.

Performance

PXH vs. VSS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PXH achieves a 10.39% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 7.74% return. Over the past 10 years, PXH has outperformed VSS with an annualized return of 10.44%, while VSS has yielded a comparatively lower 7.98% annualized return.

PXH

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -3.27%
• YTD: 10.39%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 29.41%
• 3Y*: 19.39%
• 5Y*: 8.29%
• 10Y*: 10.44%

VSS

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -4.88%
• YTD: 7.74%
• 6M: 10.30%
• 1Y: 22.83%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 5.25%
• 10Y*: 7.98%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PXH vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PXH Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF	10.39%	31.44%	12.09%	13.93%	-15.18%	8.31%	-1.91%	16.77%	-8.68%	26.60%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	7.74%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%

Correlation

The correlation between PXH and VSS is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2009	0.82

The correlation between PXH and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

PXH vs. VSS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PXH	VSS
Financial Services	25.8%	10.8%
Technology	19.9%	13.3%
Energy	13.0%	4.9%
Basic Materials	12.1%	12.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	9.3%
Communication Services	6.2%	2.3%
Industrials	4.6%	18.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.8%	3.4%
Utilities	2.4%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.7%	7.3%
Healthcare	0.9%	6.2%

Return for Risk

PXH vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PXH

PXH Risk / Return Rank: 63
PXH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
PXH Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
PXH Omega Ratio Rank: 64
PXH Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PXH Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 47
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PXH vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.

	PXH	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.50	+0.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.06	+0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.28	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.88	1.97	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.56	7.54	+3.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PXH vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PXH Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PXH and VSS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PXH	VSS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	1.50	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.32	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.46	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.54	-0.40

Drawdowns

PXH vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PXH drawdown since its inception was -63.63%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PXH and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PXH	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.63%	-43.51%	-20.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.24%	-11.62%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.72%	-15.73%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.59%	-33.93%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.42%	-43.51%	+3.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.27%	-5.08%	-0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.86%	-9.64%	-7.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	3.04%	-0.25%

Volatility

PXH vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF (PXH) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) have volatilities of 6.06% and 5.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PXH	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.06%	5.87%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.87%	13.18%	-0.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.75%	15.28%	+0.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.84%	16.53%	+1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.08%	17.30%	+2.78%

PXH vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PXH has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PXH vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

PXH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.57%, more than VSS's 3.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PXH Invesco FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets ETF	3.57%	4.02%	4.43%	4.84%	5.33%	4.69%	2.79%	3.28%	3.30%	2.74%	1.97%	3.44%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.15%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PXH and VSS in my portfolio?

PXH and VSS have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PXH or VSS?

PXH has higher volatility (6.06%) compared to VSS (5.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PXH dropped -63.63% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which ETF is better, PXH or VSS?

On 10-year performance, PXH leads with 10.44% vs 7.98% for VSS. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VSS has been the lower-risk option at 5.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PXH or VSS?

Over the 10-year period, PXH has performed better with a 10.44% return vs 7.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PXH or VSS?

VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for PXH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PXH or VSS?

PXH has the higher dividend yield at 3.57%, compared with 3.15% for VSS.

What is the main difference between PXH and VSS?

PXH is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. PXH tracks FTSE RAFI Emerging Markets Index, while VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PXH and 0.07% for VSS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PXH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.50), 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.