Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM) Review & Analysis
- −1.1% in September (total return), behind the median international shares ETF at +0.0%.
- The unit price closed the month at $74.34, 8% below its 12-month high (range $69.10 to $80.96).
About VISM
VISM holds thousands of smaller companies from developed markets outside Australia, including the US, Japan, the UK and Europe. It tracks the MSCI World ex Australia Small Cap Index, is passively managed and is unhedged.
Because it holds so many companies, each one is tiny, and no single stock or sector dominates. The fund leans towards industrials, technology, health care, financials and consumer businesses, with the US the largest country. Smaller companies tend to be more volatile than large ones and are more sensitive to economic cycles and borrowing costs, but they also give exposure to businesses that are largely missing from standard global funds. Income is modest and unfranked, and a falling Australian dollar will lift returns while a rising one will trim them.
VISM is often used as a satellite to round out a large-company global fund. Alternatives include QSML, which adds a quality screen, DGSM and the US-only IJR; see QSML vs VISM and VISM vs DGSM.
VISM distributions and dividend dates
The latest distribution was $0.1651 per unit (0% franked), ex-distribution on 1 October 2026 and paid on 16 October 2026. To receive it you need to own VISM before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 7.9%. 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 VISM with
| Fee | 0.32% | 0.70% |
| 1 year | +10.4% | −5.9% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +6.6% | +8.9% |
| Size | $952m | $3.4bn |
| Fee | 0.32% | 0.59% |
| 1 year | +10.4% | −1.4% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +6.6% | +7.1% |
| Size | $952m | $1.6bn |
| Fee | 0.32% | 0.62% |
| 1 year | +10.4% | +4.2% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +6.6% | – |
| Size | $952m | $262m |
| Fee | 0.32% | 0.65% |
| 1 year | +10.4% | +9.8% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +6.6% | – |
| Size | $952m | $701m |
VISM price by TradingView
| Stock Code | VISM |
|---|---|
| Fund Manager | Vanguard |
| Asset Class | International shares |
| AUM | $952m |
| MER (%) | 0.32% |
| Net flows (Sep) | $0.0m |
| Last Price | $74.34 |
| 52-Week Range | $69.10 – $80.96 |
| Bid/Ask Spread | 0.05% |
| Listing Date | 13/11/2018 |
| Exchange | ASX |
| Index | Not yet in our data. See the PDS |
| 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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