VOX vs. PABU
VOX (Vanguard Communication Services ETF) and PABU (iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOX is a Communications Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while PABU is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select PAB Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VOX returned 21.81%/yr vs 17.15%/yr for PABU. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VOX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for PABU.
Performance
VOX vs. PABU - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VOX achieves a -5.35% return, which is significantly lower than PABU's 2.93% return.
VOX
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- -6.50%
- YTD
- -5.35%
- 6M
- -5.46%
- 1Y
- 12.86%
- 3Y*
- 21.81%
- 5Y*
- 6.02%
- 10Y*
- 8.42%
PABU
- 1D
- -1.31%
- 1M
- -3.43%
- YTD
- 2.93%
- 6M
- 1.87%
- 1Y
- 15.63%
- 3Y*
- 17.15%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VOX vs. PABU - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | -5.35% | 26.27% | 33.12% | 44.81% | -33.04% |
PABU iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF | 2.93% | 13.08% | 24.84% | 29.51% | -15.45% |
Correlation
The correlation between VOX and PABU is 0.67, 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 | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2022 | 0.78 |
The correlation between VOX and PABU shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.78 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
VOX vs. PABU — Risk / Return Rank
VOX
PABU
VOX vs. PABU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) and iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF (PABU). 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.
| VOX | PABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.29 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.20 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.95 | 1.17 | -0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.37 | 3.92 | -0.55 |
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Drawdowns
VOX vs. PABU - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VOX drawdown since its inception was -57.18%, which is greater than PABU's maximum drawdown of -22.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOX and PABU.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VOX | PABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -57.18% | -22.76% | -34.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.56% | -13.40% | -0.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.15% | -20.85% | -0.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -46.76% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -46.76% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.53% | -7.11% | -1.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.90% | -5.62% | -6.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.82% | 3.99% | -0.17% |
Volatility
VOX vs. PABU - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX) is 5.44%, while iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF (PABU) has a volatility of 6.31%. This indicates that VOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PABU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VOX | PABU | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.44% | 6.31% | -0.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.89% | 11.53% | +0.36% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.80% | 14.23% | +1.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.24% | 18.77% | +2.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.93% | 18.77% | +2.16% |
VOX vs. PABU - Expense Ratio Comparison
VOX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than PABU's 0.10% 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
VOX vs. PABU - Dividend Comparison
VOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, more than PABU's 0.95% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PABU iShares Paris-Aligned Climate Optimized MSCI USA ETF | 0.95% | 0.90% | 1.00% | 1.06% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VOX Vanguard Communication Services ETF | 1.04% | 0.95% | 1.05% | 1.03% | 0.88% | 0.93% | 0.73% | 0.90% | 2.77% | 3.83% | 2.67% | 3.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VOX and PABU have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
PABU has higher volatility (6.31%) compared to VOX (5.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOX dropped -57.18% vs PABU's -22.76%.
On 3-year performance, VOX leads with 21.81% vs 17.15% for PABU. On fees, VOX is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VOX has been the lower-risk option at 5.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, VOX has performed better with a 21.81% return vs 17.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VOX is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.10% for PABU.
VOX has the higher dividend yield at 1.04%, compared with 0.95% for PABU.
VOX is categorized as Communications Equities, while PABU is Large Cap Blend Equities. VOX tracks MSCI US Investable Market Communication Services 25/50 Index, while PABU tracks MSCI USA Climate Paris Aligned Benchmark Extended Select PAB Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VOX and 0.10% for PABU.
PABU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 vs 0.82), 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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