Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (VDHG) Review & Analysis
MER · Top 50%AUM · Top 10%1Y Return · Top 50%3Y Return · Top 50%5Y Return · Top 50%
What's new this monthData to 30 September 2026
−0.5% in September (total return), ahead of the median diversified (all-in-one) ETF at −0.8%.
Investors added a net $59m (1.4% of the fund). That ranked #31 of 508 ETFs for new money.
The unit price closed the month at $76.50, 2% below its 12-month high (range $69.73 to $78.25).
About VDHG
VDHG is Vanguard's Diversified High Growth ETF, an all in one portfolio in a single trade. It invests in a set of Vanguard index funds covering Australian shares, international shares, US and emerging markets, and smaller companies, with around 90% in shares and 10% in bonds and cash. Vanguard rebalances it automatically.
The result is very broad diversification, with thousands of underlying holdings. Australian shares make up a large slice, so BHP and the big banks are among the top names, alongside the US tech giants. Distributions are paid quarterly and include some franking from the Australian part. Most of the international shares are unhedged, with a portion hedged. With only a small bond allocation, VDHG behaves much like a share fund and can fall sharply in downturns.
VDHG is often used as a complete, hands off portfolio for long term investors comfortable with high growth risk. Alternatives include the all shares DHHF and the more conservative VDGR. See VDHG vs DHHF, VDHG vs VDGR and IVV vs VDHG.
VDHG distributions and dividend dates
VDHG pays distributions quarterly, usually going ex-distribution in January, April, July and October, with payment about 16 days after the ex-date.
The latest distribution was $0.437 per unit (57% franked), ex-distribution on 1 October 2026 and paid on 16 October 2026. To receive it you need to own VDHG before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 3.4%, with distributions around 30% franked. Distributions vary and past payments are not a guide to future ones.
From ASX announcements, updated nightly. See every ETF in the dividend calendar.
1 year ago$10,7523 years ago$14,7545 years ago$14,499
Value at 30 September 2026 with distributions reinvested, before tax and brokerage.
Total returns including distributions, to 30 September 2026. 1M, 1Y, 3Y and 5Y bars are cumulative.
VDHG at a glance: strengths and things to watch
👍 Strengths
Large and established. $4.1bn under management, number 22 of 508 ETFs in Australia by size.
Ahead of its peers. +7.7% a year over 5 years, against +4.8% for the median diversified (all-in-one) ETF.
Cheap to trade. A bid/ask spread of 0.03%, so buying and selling costs little extra.
⚠️ Things to watch
Nothing stands out against its category.
Worked out from VDHG's fees, size, flows, returns and trend against the 19 diversified (all-in-one) ETFs in Australia, to 30 September 2026. General information, not a recommendation.
VDHG's moving averages are tangled and the price is moving sideways. The trend hasn't picked a direction yet. Its price is 3.4% below its 12-month high.
Why it matters: Bases are where the next big move starts. A breakout can begin a new uptrend, while a breakdown can start a long fall. Buying a satellite before the breakout often means waiting months for nothing to happen.
At ETF Adviser the core of a portfolio stays invested through every stage, and satellite ETFs are only bought in an uptrend. Members get a weekly update on which ETFs are breaking out of a base and which trends have broken.
VDHG weekly price, past 12 months, shaded by trend stage. Stage as at 7 November 2026, updated weekly. A technical label, not a recommendation.
VDHG vs its benchmark
How VDHG has done against the Vanguard composite benchmark (weighted indexes), after fees. For an index fund, a small shortfall roughly the size of the fee is normal.
Holdings from the issuer's published portfolio as at 30 September 2026. Breakdowns are based on the largest 400 positions, covering 76% of the fund. Compare VDHG's holdings with other ETFs →
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.
Same holdings is the share of VDHG's money in companies the other ETF also holds, weighted by size. Most similar first, then ETFs in the same category. See every ETF like VDHG →
VDHG vs its closest alternatives
What actually differs between VDHG and the ETFs most like it. Data to 30 Sep 2026.
VDHG charges a management fee (MER) of 0.27% a year, according to the TMX Australia monthly funds report as at 30 September 2026.
How big is VDHG?
VDHG had $4.1bn in funds under management as at 30 September 2026.
How has VDHG performed?
VDHG returned +7.5% over the year to 30 September 2026 (total return, including distributions). Over three years it returned +13.8% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Who manages VDHG?
VDHG is managed by Vanguard and has been listed since November 2017.
Does VDHG pay monthly?
VDHG pays distributions four times a year, usually going ex-distribution in January, April, July and October. It does not pay monthly. If you want monthly income, see the ETF dividend calendar on ReviewETF for funds that pay every month.
When is the next VDHG distribution?
Based on its usual schedule, VDHG's next distribution should go ex around the start of January, with payment about 16 days later. Dates can move, so check Vanguard's announcements to confirm.
What is VDHG's dividend yield?
VDHG's distribution yield over the past 12 months was about 3.5%. Yields change with the unit price and each payment, and are not a forecast.
Is VDHG franked?
Yes, partly. VDHG's distributions have typically been around 30% franked, because it holds Australian companies that pay tax here. Franking credits can reduce your tax, and in a pension-phase account they can be refunded as cash. Check Vanguard's annual tax statement for the exact figure.
What does VDHG hold?
VDHG's largest holdings are Bonds & cash (9.9%), BHP Group Ltd (4.0%), Commonwealth Bank of Australia (3.3%), NVIDIA Corp (2.5%), Apple Inc (2.3%). The biggest sector is financials at 16%. Holdings as at 30 September 2026.
Is there a cheaper alternative to VDHG?
Yes. DHHF (Betashares Diversified All Growth ETF) holds about 85% of the same companies and charges 0.19% a year, against 0.27% for VDHG. Check the index and size before switching, and remember selling may trigger capital gains tax.
Disclaimer
This review is general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the Vanguard product disclosure statement (PDS) and target market determination (TMD) before investing. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
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