Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF (VGAD) Review & Analysis
- −0.4% in September (total return), behind the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
- Investors added a net $136m (1.8% of the fund). That ranked #16 of 508 ETFs for new money.
- The unit price closed the month at $131.79, 2% below its 12-month high (range $111.55 to $134.22).
About VGAD
VGAD is the currency hedged version of Vanguard's popular VGS. It tracks the MSCI World ex Australia Index hedged into Australian dollars, holding well over a thousand large and mid-sized companies across developed markets. It is passive, and the hedge is the only real difference from VGS.
The shares are the same: mostly American, led by technology giants such as Nvidia, Apple and Microsoft, with technology the largest sector. What changes is the currency. Vanguard uses forward contracts to remove most of the effect of the Australian dollar moving against the US dollar and other currencies, so your returns track the underlying shares more closely. That helps when the Australian dollar rises but removes the cushion you get when it falls, often in market sell offs. Income is modest and unfranked, and can be lumpy because hedging gains and losses flow into distributions.
VGAD may suit investors who want global shares without currency swings, or who split between hedged and unhedged. Alternatives include HGBL and IHVV. See VGS vs VGAD, VGAD vs HGBL and VGAD vs QHAL.
VGAD distributions and dividend dates
VGAD pays distributions half-yearly, usually going ex-distribution in January and July, with payment about 16 days after the ex-date.
The latest distribution was $2.9351 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 July 2026 and paid on 16 July 2026. To receive it you need to own VGAD before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 2.8%. Distributions vary and past payments are not a guide to future ones.
From ASX announcements, updated nightly. See every ETF in the dividend calendar.
Compare VGAD with
| Fee | 0.21% | 0.18% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +10.1% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +10.8% | +11.8% |
| Size | $7.9bn | $18.7bn |
| Fee | 0.21% | 0.11% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +17.4% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +10.8% | – |
| Size | $7.9bn | $3.0bn |
| Fee | 0.21% | 0.43% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +16.5% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +10.8% | +9.7% |
| Size | $7.9bn | $2.7bn |
| Fee | 0.21% | 0.62% |
| 1 year | +17.1% | +4.2% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +10.8% | – |
| Size | $7.9bn | $262m |
VGAD price by TradingView
| Stock Code | VGAD |
|---|---|
| Fund Manager | Vanguard |
| Asset Class | International shares |
| AUM | $7.9bn |
| MER (%) | 0.21% |
| Net flows (Sep) | +$136m |
| Last Price | $131.79 |
| 52-Week Range | $111.55 – $134.22 |
| Bid/Ask Spread | 0.02% |
| Listing Date | 20/11/2014 |
| Exchange | ASX |
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex Australia Index (hedged) |
| Issuer website | Vanguard ↗ |
Performance (% return)
$10,000 invested…
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.
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