VXUS vs. PBPH

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) and PBPH (Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXUS is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while PBPH is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VXUS charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for PBPH.

Performance

VXUS vs. PBPH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VXUS achieves a 14.25% return, which is significantly higher than PBPH's -1.13% return.

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

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 0.07%
• YTD: -1.13%
• 6M: -0.02%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VXUS vs. PBPH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	14.25%	3.95%
PBPH Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF	-1.13%	0.76%

Correlation

The correlation between VXUS and PBPH 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

Return for Risk

VXUS vs. PBPH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 60
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

VXUS vs. PBPH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) and Portfolio Building Block World Pharma and Biotech Index ETF (PBPH). 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.

	VXUS	PBPH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.90	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.14	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VXUS	PBPH	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	0.39	-0.04	+0.43

Drawdowns

VXUS vs. PBPH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VXUS drawdown since its inception was -35.97%, which is greater than PBPH's maximum drawdown of -11.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXUS and PBPH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VXUS	PBPH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.97%	-11.10%	-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 Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-8.69%	+7.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-4.23%	-3.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VXUS	PBPH	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	15.21%	16.78%	-1.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	16.78%	-0.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.16%	16.78%	+0.38%

VXUS vs. PBPH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VXUS has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than PBPH'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

VXUS vs. PBPH - Dividend Comparison

VXUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.66%, more than PBPH's 0.09% 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

Can I hold both VXUS and PBPH in my portfolio?

VXUS and PBPH 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.

Which ETF is better, VXUS or PBPH?

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.

Which ETF is cheaper, VXUS or PBPH?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for PBPH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VXUS or PBPH?

VXUS has the higher dividend yield at 2.66%, compared with 0.09% for PBPH.

What is the main difference between VXUS and PBPH?

VXUS is categorized as Global Equities, while PBPH is Health & Biotech Equities. VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while PBPH tracks BITA Global Pharma and Biotech Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Portfolio Building Block. Their fees differ too: 0.05% for VXUS and 0.13% for PBPH.