βš”οΈ Head to head

BGBL vs HGBL: Which ETF Is Better?

A side-by-side comparison of fees, size, returns and holdings, using data to 30 September 2026.

BGBL comes out ahead on 4 of 7 measures. Which matters most depends on you.

The big difference is currency. HGBL is currency hedged, so its returns ignore moves in the Australian dollar. BGBL is unhedged: it does better when the dollar falls and worse when it rises.

The short answer

πŸ’ΈLower feeBGBL wins
BGBL
0.08%
HGBL
0.11%

Worth about $2,134 on $100,000 over 20 years.

🏦Bigger fundBGBL wins
BGBL
$5.5bn
HGBL
$3.0bn

Bigger funds usually trade more cheaply and are less likely to close.

πŸ“ˆ1-year returnHGBL wins
BGBL
+10.4%
HGBL
+17.4%
πŸ“Š3-year returnHGBL wins
BGBL
+18.7% a yr
HGBL
+20.6% a yr
βš–οΈCheaper to tradeToo close to call
BGBL
0.02%
HGBL
0.03%

BGBL vs HGBL side by side

BGBL leads on 4, HGBL on 3BGBLBetashares Global Shares ETFHGBLBetashares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF
The basics
Index trackedSolactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap IndexSolactive GBS Developed Markets ex Australia Large & Mid Cap Index, hedged to AUD
Fund managerBetasharesBetashares
Asset classInternational sharesInternational shares
ListedMay 2023May 2023
Cost and size
MERyearly fee, lower is better0.08%βœ“0.11%
AUMfund size$5.5bnβœ“$3.0bn
Net flows (Sep)new money in, last month$220mβœ“$135m
Bid/ask spreadtrading cost, lower is better0.02%0.03%
Total returns
1 month+2.1%βœ“βˆ’0.3%
1 year+10.4%+17.4%βœ“
3 years p.a.+18.7%+20.6%βœ“
5 years p.a.––
$10,000 invested
1 year ago$11,044$11,737βœ“
5 years ago––

βœ“ marks the better figure on each measure. Returns include distributions, to 30 September 2026.

BGBL vs HGBL price chart

Both ETFs on one chart as % change. Use the 1D to All buttons to change the period. Price only, so it leaves out distributions Β· TradingView

πŸ“ˆ Growth

What $10,000 invested is worth now

$10,000 put into BGBL 3 years ago is worth $16,736 today, against $17,557 in HGBL. That is $821 more in HGBL.

BGBLHGBL$10,000 invested
$0k$5k$10k$15k$20k$11.0k$11.7k1 year agoHGBL +$693$16.7k$17.6k3 years agoHGBL +$821

Total returns to 30 September 2026, with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage. The price chart above leaves out distributions, so it can look worse. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

πŸ’Έ Cost

What the fees cost you

BGBL's lower fee leaves about $2,134 more in your pocket over 20 years.

BGBL charges 0.08% a yearHGBL charges 0.11% a year
🧾 Fees paid on $100,000Saving
5 years
BGBL
βˆ’$524
HGBL
βˆ’$719
You keep$196more with BGBL
10 years
BGBL
βˆ’$1,466
HGBL
βˆ’$2,013
You keep$547more with BGBL
20 years
BGBL
βˆ’$5,746
HGBL
βˆ’$7,879
You keep$2,134more with BGBL

Total fees paid on a $100,000 investment, assuming a 7% a year return before fees. Illustration only: it ignores tax, brokerage and differences in returns.

BGBL and HGBL overlap

85%portfolio overlap (very high: holding both adds little diversification)

400 companies appear in both funds. Overlap is the share of the portfolio that is the same in both, counting the smaller weight of each shared company.

Biggest shared holdings% of BGBL% of HGBL
5.65%5.65%
5.46%5.46%
4.38%4.38%
3.50%3.50%
2.65%2.65%
1.75%1.75%
1.54%1.54%
1.40%1.40%
1.36%1.36%
1.14%1.14%
1.04%1.04%
0.94%0.94%

Add more ETFs and see the overlap in Compare ETFs β†’

Best-endeavours estimate. Built from each issuer's published holdings, which may be weeks or months old, may cover only part of a fund (some publish only their top 10) and are matched by company name. Figures may be incomplete or inaccurate. Check the issuer's website and PDS before relying on them. General information only.

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Joshua Stega
etfadviserExchange traded fund specialist adviser Β· 20 years’ experience
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FAQs

Which is better, BGBL or HGBL?

It depends on what you need. On our numbers BGBL wins on 4 measures and HGBL on 3. BGBL is cheaper, with a management fee of 0.08% vs 0.11%. On $100,000 over 20 years that difference is worth about $2,134. BGBL is the larger fund at $5.5bn vs $3.0bn. HGBL has the better 1-year return: +17.4% vs +10.4%.

Which is cheaper, BGBL or HGBL?

BGBL charges 0.08% a year and HGBL charges 0.11% a year.

Can I hold both BGBL and HGBL?

You can, but check how much they overlap. BGBL is a international shares fund and HGBL is a international shares fund.

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Add more ETFs to this comparison β†’

General information only, not a recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.