VAS vs VGS: Aussie Home Bias vs Global Equity Diversification
Compare VAS.AX (Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF) vs VGS.AX (Vanguard International Shares Index ETF) ETF holding overlap, sector concentration, MER fee differences, and 5Y CAGR returns.
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Executive Quantitative Summary
Both VAS.AX and VGS.AX serve as institutional building blocks for Australian investors, displaying a 22% structural asset overlap. Investors prioritizing low cost may favor VAS.AX (0.07% MER), while those seeking broader index coverage may prefer VGS.AX (1450 total holdings).
Side-by-Side Metric Specifications
| Metric / Spec | Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS.AX) | Vanguard International Shares Index ETF (VGS.AX) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer / Provider | Vanguard Australia | Vanguard Australia |
| Benchmark Index | S&P/ASX 300 Index | MSCI World ex-Australia Index |
| Management Fee (MER) | 0.07% p.a. | 0.18% p.a. |
| Total Stock Holdings | 300 stocks | 1450 stocks |
| Distribution Cadence | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| 5-Year Return (CAGR) | +8.42% | +12.65% |
Key Institutional Takeaways
- 1Management Expense Ratio (MER): Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF costs 0.07% p.a. vs Vanguard International Shares Index ETF at 0.18% p.a. (a 0.11% annual cost differential).
- 2Index Standard: Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (300 stocks) whereas Vanguard International Shares Index ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index (1450 stocks).
- 3Distribution Cadence: Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF pays quarterly distributions compared to Vanguard International Shares Index ETF's quarterly payout cycle.
- 4Historical Performance: 5-Year CAGR stands at 8.42% for VAS.AX vs 12.65% for VGS.AX.
Optimize Your Personal Portfolio Overlap
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