Grow it · ETFs

WXHG vs VGAD vs HGBL vs IHWL

Compare fees, returns, income and risk for these 4 ASX-listed ETFs side by side.

At a glance

Comparing WXHG, VGAD, HGBL, and IHWL. WXHG has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, IHWL has the highest 10 years return at 12.5% a year, and WXHG offers the highest at 7.11%.
Lowest fee
WXHG 0.1% p.a.
Highest 10 years return
IHWL 12.5% p.a.
Highest yield
WXHG 7.11%
Highest risk-adjusted
VGAD Sharpe 0.75 (10y)
Lowest volatility
WXHG 13.9% (10y)
Largest fund
VGAD $7.4bn

Side-by-side comparison

Metric WXHG
State Street SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Aware (Hedged) ETF
VGAD
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF
HGBL
BetaShares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF
IHWL
iShares Core MSCI World ex Australia ESG (AUD Hedged) ETF
Snapshot
Provider
State Street
Vanguard
BetaShares
iShares
Tracks index
MSCI World ex Australia Index (AUD Hedged)
Solactive GBS Developed Markets Large & Mid Cap Index (AUD Hedged)
Categories
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap, ESG
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap
Intl, Large-Cap, Market-Cap, ESG
Listed since
2014 (12 yrs)
2021 (5 yrs)
Fund size (AUM)
$398m
$7.4bn
$2.7bn
$1bn
Cost & income
Management fee
0.1%
0.22%
0.11%
0.15%
Dividend yield
7.11%
2.42%
1.23%
5.65%
Franking
0%
0%
0%
0%
Turnover
5%
5%
Tax drag 2.28% 0.89% 0.51% 1.81%
Returns
Tax bracket
1-year return
17.9%
net
19.9%
net
20.6%
net
19.8%
net
3-year return
16.9%
net
17.5%
net
17.9%
net
17.6%
net
5-year return
10.2%
net
10.9%
net
11.2%
net
10-year return
11.9%
net
12.4%
net
12.5%
net
Risk
Volatility (3y)
11.3%
11.5%
11.4%
12.5%
Volatility (5y)
14%
14.2%
15.3%
Volatility (10y)
13.9%
14%
14.7%
Sharpe ratio (3y)
1.08
1.11
1.15
1.04
Sharpe ratio (5y)
0.54
0.58
0.56
Sharpe ratio (10y)
0.73
0.75
0.73
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

WXHG State Street SPDR S&P World ex Australia Carbon Aware (Hedged) ETF
  • Top-20% returns over 1 year (62nd of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.1% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • That income is taxed yearly at your marginal rate, so it's less efficient for higher earners.
VGAD Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF
  • Top-16% returns over 1 year (48th of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.22% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL, IHVV, and HGBL.
HGBL BetaShares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF
  • Top-15% returns over 1 year (45th of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.11% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL.
IHWL iShares Core MSCI World ex Australia ESG (AUD Hedged) ETF
  • Top-16% returns over 1 year (49th of 308 ETFs we track).
  • Low-cost: a 0.15% management fee keeps more of the return in your pocket.
  • Cheaper alternatives exist: BGBL, WXHG, and HGBL.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between WXHG vs VGAD vs HGBL vs IHWL?

WXHG, VGAD, HGBL, and IHWL are 4 Australian-listed ETFs we compare side by side. WXHG carries the lowest management fee (0.1%). Over 10 years, IHWL has delivered the highest total return (12.5% a year). The table above breaks down fees, returns, income and risk for each.

Which has the lowest fees - WXHG vs VGAD vs HGBL vs IHWL?

WXHG has the lowest management fee at 0.1% a year, versus VGAD 0.22%, HGBL 0.11%, and IHWL 0.15%.

Which has performed highest - WXHG vs VGAD vs HGBL vs IHWL?

Over the past 10 years, IHWL has delivered the highest total return at 12.5% a year. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.

Which pays the highest dividend yield?

WXHG pays the highest at 7.11%. Remember distributions are taxed each year at your marginal rate.

Which is the largest and most liquid?

VGAD is the largest fund by assets ($7.4bn). 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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