Grow it · ETFs

ALTB vs VGB

Compare fees, returns, income and risk for these 2 ASX-listed ETFs side by side.

At a glance

Comparing ALTB and VGB. ALTB has the lower management fee at 0.15% a year, VGB has the higher 1 year return at -0.9% a year, and ALTB offers the higher at 3.47%.
Lower fee
ALTB 0.15% p.a.
Higher 1 year return
VGB -0.9% p.a.
Higher yield
ALTB 3.47%
Larger fund
VGB $1.4bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric ALTB
iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF
VGB
Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider
iShares
Vanguard
Tracks index
—
Bloomberg AusBond Govt 0+ Yr Index
Categories
Bonds, AU
AU, Bonds
Listed since
—
2012 (14 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$315m
$1.4bn
Cost & income
Management fee
0.15%
0.16%
Dividend yield
3.47%
3.32%
Franking
0%
0%
Turnover
20%
25%
Tax drag 1.59% 1.66%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
-6.5%
net
-0.9%
net
3-year return
—
3.2%
net
5-year return
—
-0.5%
net
10-year return
—
1.1%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
—
4.2%
Volatility (5y)
—
5.8%
Volatility (10y)
—
4.9%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
—
—
Sharpe ratio (5y)
—
—
Sharpe ratio (10y)
—
—
Bid/ask spread
—
—

marks the strongest fund in each row. “net” shows the after-tax return at your selected bracket. “—” means we don’t have that data point yet.

Each fund at a glance

ALTB iShares 15+ Year Australian Government Bond ETF
  • Low-cost: a 0.15% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: VAF.
VGB Vanguard Australian Government Bond Index ETF
  • Low-cost: a 0.16% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Low volatility (4.85% over 10 years) for a smoother ride.
  • Has lagged most peers over 10 years (104th of 110).

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ALTB vs VGB?

ALTB and VGB are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. ALTB carries the lower management fee (0.15%). Over 1 year, VGB has delivered the higher total return (-0.9% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - ALTB vs VGB?

ALTB has the lower management fee at 0.15% a year, versus VGB 0.16%.

Which has performed higher - ALTB vs VGB?

Over the past 1 year, VGB has delivered the higher total return at -0.9% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

ALTB pays the higher at 3.47%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VGB is the larger fund by assets ($1.4bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

General information only, generated from each fund's published data — not personal financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider your own circumstances or seek licensed advice before investing.

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