VGK vs. PBEU
VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) and PBEU (Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while PBEU is a Financials Equities fund tracking the BITA European Banks Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VGK charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBEU.
Performance
VGK vs. PBEU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGK achieves a 6.16% return, which is significantly lower than PBEU's 13.63% return.
VGK
- 1D
- -1.24%
- 1M
- -0.13%
- YTD
- 6.16%
- 6M
- 6.16%
- 1Y
- 19.10%
- 3Y*
- 16.76%
- 5Y*
- 8.57%
- 10Y*
- 10.38%
PBEU
- 1D
- -1.42%
- 1M
- 7.22%
- YTD
- 13.63%
- 6M
- 14.09%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VGK vs. PBEU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 6.16% | 6.98% |
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF | 13.63% | 11.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGK and PBEU is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 25, 2025 | 0.85 |
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Return for Risk
VGK vs. PBEU — Risk / Return Rank
VGK
PBEU
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
VGK vs. PBEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) and Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF (PBEU). 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.
| VGK | PBEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | — | — | |
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | — | — | |
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | — | — |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.59 | — | — |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.89 | — | — |
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Drawdowns
VGK vs. PBEU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGK drawdown since its inception was -63.61%, which is greater than PBEU's maximum drawdown of -17.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGK and PBEU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGK | PBEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -63.61% | -17.26% | -46.35% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.09% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.31% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.74% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.24% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.91% | -1.42% | -0.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.31% | -3.94% | -9.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.25% | — | — |
Volatility
VGK vs. PBEU - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VGK | PBEU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.96% | — | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.38% | — | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.81% | 27.63% | -11.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.96% | 27.63% | -9.67% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.56% | 27.63% | -9.07% |
VGK vs. PBEU - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGK has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than PBEU's 0.13% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VGK vs. PBEU - Dividend Comparison
VGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, more than PBEU's 0.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PBEU Portfolio Building Block European Banks Index ETF | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF | 2.95% | 2.86% | 3.61% | 3.15% | 3.25% | 3.05% | 2.11% | 3.27% | 3.95% | 2.70% | 3.52% | 3.25% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VGK and PBEU have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBEU.
VGK has the higher dividend yield at 2.95%, compared with 0.01% for PBEU.
VGK is categorized as Europe Equities, while PBEU is Financials Equities. VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, while PBEU tracks BITA European Banks Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VGK and 0.13% for PBEU.
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