DBBF vs GROW vs IBAL vs VDBA - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing DBBF, GROW, IBAL, and VDBA. IBAL has the lowest management fee at 0.22% a year, VDBA has the highest 5 years return at 4.5% a year, and VDBA offers the highest at 5.19%.

Lowest fee

IBAL 0.22% p.a.

Highest 5 years return

VDBA 4.5% p.a.

Highest yield

VDBA 5.19%

Highest risk-adjusted

IBAL Sharpe 0.89 (3y)

Lowest volatility

VDBA 7.3% (5y)

Largest fund

VDBA $942m

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	DBBF BetaShares Ethical Diversified Balanced ETF	GROW Schroder Real Return Active ETF	IBAL iShares Balanced ESG ETF	VDBA Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider	BetaShares	—	iShares	Vanguard
Tracks index	—	—	—	—
Categories	AU, Intl, ESG	AU, Intl, Active	AU, Intl, ESG	AU, Intl, Market-Cap
Listed since	—	—	—	2017 (9 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$32m	$79m	$25m	$942m
Cost & income
Management fee	0.39%	0.69%	0.22%	0.27%
Dividend yield	3.14%	—	2.65%	5.19%
Franking	20%	15%	15%	35%
Turnover	15%	45%	15%	8%
Tax drag	1.18%	1.08%	1.09%	1.32%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	-0.7% net	—	3.9% net	3.8% net
3-year return	7.1% net	—	10.1% net	9.6% net
5-year return	2.7% net	—	—	4.5% net
10-year return	—	—	—	—
Risk
Volatility (3y)	7%	—	6.5%	5.9%
Volatility (5y)	8.4%	—	—	7.3%
Volatility (10y)	—	—	—	—
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.43	—	0.89	0.88
Sharpe ratio (5y)	—	—	—	0.18
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

DBBF BetaShares Ethical Diversified Balanced ETF

Low-cost: a 0.39% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: IBAL and VDBA.

Full DBBF analysis →

GROW Schroder Real Return Active ETF

Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.44%.

Full GROW analysis →

IBAL iShares Balanced ESG ETF

Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Low volatility (6.47% over 3 years) for a smoother ride.

Full IBAL analysis →

VDBA Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF

Low-cost: a 0.27% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
Pays a useful 5.19% income yield.

Cheaper alternatives exist: IBAL.

Full VDBA analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between DBBF vs GROW vs IBAL vs VDBA?

DBBF, GROW, IBAL, and VDBA are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. IBAL carries the lowest management fee (0.22%). Over 5 years, VDBA has delivered the highest total return (4.5% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - DBBF vs GROW vs IBAL vs VDBA?

IBAL has the lowest management fee at 0.22% a year, versus DBBF 0.39%, GROW 0.69%, and VDBA 0.27%.

Which has performed highest - DBBF vs GROW vs IBAL vs VDBA?

Over the past 5 years, VDBA has delivered the highest total return at 4.5% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

VDBA pays the highest at 5.19%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VDBA is the largest fund by assets ($942m). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

DBBF vs VBAL IBAL vs VBAL VDBA vs VDGR VDBA vs VDCO VDBA vs VDHG VDBA vs VBAL

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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.