Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (VSO) Review & Analysis
- −2.0% in September (total return), in line with the median Australian shares ETF at −2.1%.
- Investors added a net $15m (1.2% of the fund).
- The unit price closed the month at $73.24, 10% below its 12-month high (range $66.70 to $81.45).
About VSO
VSO holds smaller Australian companies, the ones that sit below the very largest names on the ASX. It tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index, is passively managed and holds a spread of close to 200 companies.
Small companies can grow faster than large ones, but their share prices also swing more and they can be hit harder in downturns. VSO is spread fairly evenly, with no single company dominating, but by sector it leans heavily on materials, especially mining and resources, followed by industrials, property trusts and financials. That means commodity prices have a big influence on returns. Distributions include franking credits, though usually less than large-company funds, and there is no currency risk. Over shorter periods VSO can behave quite differently from the broad market.
VSO is often used as a satellite to add small-company exposure on top of a core Australian shares fund. Alternatives include SMLL and FSML, and VAS covers the broad market; see VSO vs SMLL and VSO vs FSML.
VSO distributions and dividend dates
VSO pays distributions half-yearly, usually going ex-distribution in January and July, with payment about 15 days after the ex-date. (Pattern estimated from recent payments.)
The latest distribution was $2.1969 per unit (22% franked), ex-distribution on 1 July 2026 and paid on 16 July 2026. To receive it you need to own VSO before the ex-date.
Its distribution yield over the past 12 months is about 4.8%, with distributions around 22% 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.
Compare VSO with
| Fee | 0.30% | 0.85% |
| 1 year | −0.1% | −1.4% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +4.8% | – |
| Size | $1.2bn | $638m |
| Fee | 0.30% | 0.39% |
| 1 year | −0.1% | +4.3% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +4.8% | +4.7% |
| Size | $1.2bn | $369m |
| Fee | 0.30% | 0.20% |
| 1 year | −0.1% | +7.1% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +4.8% | +7.9% |
| Size | $1.2bn | $310m |
| Fee | 0.30% | 0.49% |
| 1 year | −0.1% | −2.1% |
| 5 yrs p.a. | +4.8% | +2.3% |
| Size | $1.2bn | $186m |
VSO price by TradingView
| Stock Code | VSO |
|---|---|
| Fund Manager | Vanguard |
| Asset Class | Australian shares |
| AUM | $1.2bn |
| MER (%) | 0.30% |
| Net flows (Sep) | +$15m |
| Last Price | $73.24 |
| 52-Week Range | $66.70 – $81.45 |
| Bid/Ask Spread | 0.07% |
| Listing Date | 26/05/2011 |
| Exchange | ASX |
| Index tracked | MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap 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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