VSO vs MVW - Compare ETFs side by side

At a glance

Comparing VSO and MVW. VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year, VSO has the higher 10 years return at 8.4% a year, and VSO offers the higher at 4.92%.

Lower fee

VSO 0.3% p.a.

Higher 10 years return

VSO 8.4% p.a.

Higher yield

VSO 4.92%

Higher risk-adjusted

MVW Sharpe 0.48 (10y)

Lower volatility

MVW 14.1% (10y)

Larger fund

MVW $3.3bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric	VSO Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF	MVW VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF
Snapshot
Provider	Vanguard	VanEck
Tracks index	MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index	MVIS Australia Equal Weight Index
Categories	AU, Small-Cap, Market-Cap	AU, Factor
Listed since	2011 (15 yrs)	2014 (12 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)	$1.1bn	$3.3bn
Cost & income
Management fee	0.3%	0.35%
Dividend yield	4.92%	3.4%
Franking	65%	75%
Turnover	18%	20%
Tax drag	1.07%	0.82%
Returns	Tax bracket - adjusts tax drag & net returns
1-year return	7% net	1.6% net
3-year return	9.3% net	7.5% net
5-year return	5.5% net	7.4% net
10-year return	8.4% net	8.3% net
Risk
Volatility (3y)	13.2%	10%
Volatility (5y)	15.6%	12.2%
Volatility (10y)	16.6%	14.1%
Sharpe ratio (3y)	0.43	0.36
Sharpe ratio (5y)	0.22	0.38
Sharpe ratio (10y)	0.44	0.48
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

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.

Full VSO analysis →

MVW VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF

Low-cost: a 0.35% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.

Pricier than similar ETFs, which average around 0.34%.

Full MVW analysis →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between VSO vs MVW?

VSO and MVW 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 - VSO vs MVW?

VSO has the lower management fee at 0.3% a year, versus MVW 0.35%.

Which has performed higher - VSO vs MVW?

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?

VSO pays the higher at 4.92%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the larger and most liquid?

MVW is the larger fund by assets ($3.3bn). Larger funds are typically more liquid and trade on tighter spreads.

Related comparisons

VSO vs SMLL VSO vs FSML VSO vs VAS VSO vs EX20 VSO vs IMPQ VSO vs ISO MVW vs QOZ MVW vs IOZ

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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.