VAS vs STW: ASX 300 vs ASX 200 Index Comparison
Compare VAS.AX (Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF) vs STW.AX (SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF) ETF holding overlap, sector concentration, MER fee differences, and 5Y CAGR returns.
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Executive Quantitative Summary
Both VAS.AX and STW.AX serve as institutional building blocks for Australian investors, displaying a 71% structural asset overlap. Investors prioritizing low cost may favor VAS.AX (0.07% MER), while those seeking broader index coverage may prefer VAS.AX (300 total holdings).
Side-by-Side Metric Specifications
| Metric / Spec | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS.AX) | SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF (STW.AX) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer / Provider | Vanguard Australia | State Street Global Advisors |
| Benchmark Index | S&P/ASX 300 Index | S&P/ASX 200 Index |
| Management Fee (MER) | 0.07% p.a. | 0.13% p.a. |
| Total Stock Holdings | 300 stocks | 200 stocks |
| Distribution Cadence | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| 5-Year Return (CAGR) | +8.42% | +8.48% |
Overlapping Stock Holdings Breakdown
| Stock Symbol | Company Name | VAS.AX Weight | STW.AX Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| BHP.AX | BHP Group Ltd | 9.85% | 10.30% |
| CBA.AX | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 8.42% | 8.82% |
| CSL.AX | CSL Limited | 5.91% | 6.18% |
| NAB.AX | National Australia Bank Ltd | 4.35% | 4.55% |
| WBC.AX | Westpac Banking Corp | 3.88% | 4.05% |
Key Institutional Takeaways
- 1Management Expense Ratio (MER): Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF costs 0.07% p.a. vs SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF at 0.13% p.a. (a 0.06% annual cost differential).
- 2Index Standard: Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (300 stocks) whereas SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 200 Index (200 stocks).
- 3Distribution Cadence: Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF pays quarterly distributions compared to SPDR S&P/ASX 200 ETF's quarterly payout cycle.
- 4Historical Performance: 5-Year CAGR stands at 8.42% for VAS.AX vs 8.48% for STW.AX.
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