VESG vs VGS - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VESG and VGS. VESG has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, VGS has the higher 5 years return at 12.9% a year, and VESG offers the higher at 1.3%.

Lower fee

VESG 0.18% p.a.

Higher 5 years return

VGS 12.9% p.a.

Higher yield

VESG 1.3%

Higher risk-adjusted

VGS Sharpe 0.87 (5y)

Lower volatility

VGS 10.9% (5y)

Larger fund

VGS $52.5bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VESG Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF	VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	Vanguard
Tracks index	—	MSCI World ex Australia Index
Categories	Intl, Thematic, ESG	Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Listed since	—	2014 (12 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$1.6bn	$52.5bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.18%	0.18%
Dividend yield	1.3%	1.25%
Franking	0%	0%
Turnover	—	3%
Tax drag	0.42%	0.47%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	12.5% net	9.9% net
3-year return	19.8% net	18.6% net
5-year return	12.6% net	12.9% net
10-year return	—	14.1% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	11%	9.4%
Volatility (5y)	12.1%	10.9%
Volatility (10y)	—	10.8%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	1.33	1.43
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.78	0.87
Sharpe ratio (10y)	—	1.07
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

VESG Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF

Top-16% returns over 5 years (30th of 189 ETFs we track).
Low-cost: a 0.18% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Highly concentrated single-theme bet — keep the position size small.

Full VESG analysis →

VGS Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF

Top-15% returns over 5 years (29th of 189 ETFs we track).
Low-cost: a 0.18% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL and IWLD.

Full VGS analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VESG vs VGS?

VESG and VGS are 2 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. VESG carries the lower management fee (0.18%). Over 5 years, VGS has delivered the higher total return (12.9% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lower fees - VESG vs VGS?

VESG has the lower management fee at 0.18% a year, versus VGS 0.18%.

Which has performed higher - VESG vs VGS?

Over the past 5 years, VGS has delivered the higher total return at 12.9% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the higher dividend yield?

VESG pays the higher at 1.3%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

VGS is the larger fund by assets ($52.5bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VESG vs IOO VGS vs BGBL VGS vs IWLD VGS vs VGAD VGS vs DGCE VGS vs GCQF VGS vs AVNG VGS vs JHLO

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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.