Grow it · ETFs

SSO vs VSO

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

At a glance

Comparing SSO and VSO. VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year, VSO has the higher 10 years return at 8.4% a year, and SSO offers the higher at 9.5%.
Lower fee
VSO 0.3% p.a.
Higher 10 years return
VSO 8.4% p.a.
Higher yield
SSO 9.5%
Higher risk-adjusted
VSO Sharpe 0.44 (10y)
Lower volatility
VSO 16.6% (10y)
Larger fund
VSO $1.1bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric SSO
State Street SPDR S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF
VSO
Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider
State Street
Vanguard
Tracks index
S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index
MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index
Categories
AU, Small-Cap
AU, Small-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since
2011 (15 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$25m
$1.1bn
Cost & income
Management fee
0.5%
0.3%
Dividend yield
9.5%
4.92%
Franking
50%
65%
Turnover
20%
18%
Tax drag 2.14% 1.07%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
1.1%
net
7%
net
3-year return
6.6%
net
9.3%
net
5-year return
1.7%
net
5.5%
net
10-year return
5.4%
net
8.4%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
13.9%
13.2%
Volatility (5y)
16.4%
15.6%
Volatility (10y)
16.7%
16.6%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
0.24
0.43
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.11
0.22
Sharpe ratio (10y)
0.27
0.44
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

SSO State Street SPDR S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries ETF
  • High 9.5% income yield — good for investors who want regular cash flow.
  • Has lagged most peers over 5 years (150th of 188).
VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF
  • Low-cost: a 0.3% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Pays a useful 4.92% income yield.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: VAS and EX20.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between SSO vs VSO?

SSO and VSO are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VSO carries the lower management fee (0.3%). Over 10 years, VSO has delivered the higher total return (8.4% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - SSO vs VSO?

VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year, versus SSO 0.5%.

Which has performed higher - SSO vs VSO?

Over the past 10 years, VSO has delivered the higher total return at 8.4% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

SSO pays the higher at 9.5%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VSO is the larger fund by assets ($1.1bn). 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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