Grow it · ETFs

VAS vs VLC

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

At a glance

Comparing VAS and VLC. VAS has the lower management fee at 0.07% a year, VLC has the higher 10 years return at 9.8% a year, and VLC offers the higher at 3.05%.
Lower fee
VAS 0.07% p.a.
Higher 10 years return
VLC 9.8% p.a.
Higher yield
VLC 3.05%
Higher risk-adjusted
VLC Sharpe 0.61 (10y)
Lower volatility
VLC 13.2% (10y)
Larger fund
VAS $26.2bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric VAS
Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF
VLC
Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF
Snapshot
Provider
Vanguard
Vanguard
Tracks index
S&P/ASX 300 Index
MSCI Australian Shares Large Cap Index
Categories
AU, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
AU, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since
2009 (17 yrs)
2011 (15 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$26.2bn
$323m
Cost & income
Management fee
0.07%
0.2%
Dividend yield
2.93%
3.05%
Franking
75%
80%
Turnover
4%
5%
Tax drag 0.39% 0.38%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
5.8%
net
10.9%
net
3-year return
10.2%
net
12.5%
net
5-year return
7.8%
net
9.4%
net
10-year return
8.9%
net
9.8%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
10.7%
11.4%
Volatility (5y)
12.5%
12.7%
Volatility (10y)
13.4%
13.2%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
0.58
0.74
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.41
0.52
Sharpe ratio (10y)
0.54
0.61
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

VAS Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF
  • Low-cost: a 0.07% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: MQAE, A200, and IOZ.
VLC Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF
  • Low-cost: a 0.2% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: IOZ and VAS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VAS vs VLC?

VAS and VLC are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VAS carries the lower management fee (0.07%). Over 10 years, VLC has delivered the higher total return (9.8% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VAS vs VLC?

VAS has the lower management fee at 0.07% a year, versus VLC 0.2%.

Which has performed higher - VAS vs VLC?

Over the past 10 years, VLC has delivered the higher total return at 9.8% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VLC pays the higher at 3.05%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VAS is the larger fund by assets ($26.2bn). 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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