Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (VGS) Review & Analysis
- +1.9% in September (total return), ahead of the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
- Investors added a net $532m (2.9% of the fund). That ranked #1 of 508 ETFs for new money.
- The unit price closed the month at $163.36, at or near its 12-month high (range $138.70 to $164.78).
- 🏆 Won Top 5 inflows: September in the September ReviewETF Awards.
About VGS
VGS is Vanguard's main international shares ETF. It tracks the MSCI World ex Australia Index, which covers well over a thousand large and mid-sized companies across more than 20 developed countries, including the US, Japan, the UK, Canada and most of Europe. It is passive and unhedged, so you hold the shares in their own currencies.
In practice VGS is heavily American. The US makes up the large majority of the fund, and the biggest US technology names such as Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon sit at the top. Technology is by far the largest sector. Income is modest and unfranked, with distributions paid twice a year. Because it is unhedged, a falling Australian dollar lifts your returns and a rising one drags on them, which can add a cushion when local markets are under stress.
VGS is often used as the global core alongside an Australian shares fund. Close alternatives include the cheaper BGBL, the hedged twin VGAD and the US only IVV. See VGS vs BGBL, VGS vs VGAD and VGS vs IVV.
VGS distributions and dividend dates
VGS 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 $0.2872 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 October 2026 and paid on 16 October 2026. To receive it you need to own VGS before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 1.2%. 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 VGS with
| Fee | 0.18% | 0.04% |
| 1 year | +10.1% | +10.1% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.8% | +13.4% |
| Size | $18.7bn | $14.9bn |
| Fee | 0.18% | 0.08% |
| 1 year | +10.1% | +10.4% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.8% | – |
| Size | $18.7bn | $5.5bn |
| Fee | 0.18% | 0.03% |
| 1 year | +10.1% | +9.8% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.8% | +12.4% |
| Size | $18.7bn | $7.3bn |
| Fee | 0.18% | 0.21% |
| 1 year | +10.1% | +17.1% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +11.8% | +10.8% |
| Size | $18.7bn | $7.9bn |
VGS price by TradingView
| Stock Code | VGS |
|---|---|
| Fund Manager | Vanguard |
| Asset Class | International shares |
| AUM | $18.7bn |
| MER (%) | 0.18% |
| Net flows (Sep) | +$532m |
| Last Price | $163.36 |
| 52-Week Range | $138.70 – $164.78 |
| Bid/Ask Spread | 0.02% |
| Listing Date | 20/11/2014 |
| Exchange | ASX |
| Index tracked | MSCI World ex Australia Index |
| 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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