VGS invests in more than a thousand large companies across the world’s developed markets outside Australia, weighted by size. It charges 0.18% a year, has $18.7b invested and returned +10.1% over the past year. The most similar ETF is VGAD, which overlaps with it by about 82%.
📅 As at 30 September 2026: fee, size and 1-year return from the TMX Australia funds report; holdings and overlap from VGS’s published holdings as at 30 September 2026.
Is it a good time to buy VGS?
Nobody can time the market perfectly, but you can check the trend before you buy. Here’s where VGS stands right now.
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| Net flow, September | +$532m |
| Net flow, 2026 so far | +$3.4b |
| Average month in 2026 | +$376m |
Is the whole market risk on, caution or risk off this week? Members see it every Sunday, with the core ETF check-up.
🔒 See it free for 30 days →VGS is in a base. Prices moving sideways can be a time to build a position gradually and watch which way the trend breaks. There’s no rush either way.
General information only, not a recommendation to buy or sell VGS. Whether it suits you depends on your goals and the rest of your portfolio. Trend updated weekly; flows from the TMX Australia funds report (September 2026) and the Global X weekly market monitor. See every ETF’s trend in the ETF trend scanner, or read when to buy an ETF.
What is VGS?
Index: MSCI World ex Australia Index · Distributions: Quarterly · Issuer: Vanguard · Exchange: ASX
Top 10 holdings
The 10 largest companies make up 29% of VGS.
| # | Company | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NVIDIA CorpInformation Technology | 5.81% | |
| 2 | Apple IncInformation Technology | 5.42% | |
| 3 | Microsoft CorpInformation Technology | 4.01% | |
| 4 | Alphabet (Google)Communication Services | 4.00% | |
| 5 | Amazon.com IncConsumer Discretionary | 2.67% | |
| 6 | Meta Platforms IncCommunication Services | 1.76% | |
| 7 | Broadcom IncInformation Technology | 1.76% | |
| 8 | Micron Technology IncInformation Technology | 1.33% | |
| 9 | Tesla IncConsumer Discretionary | 1.12% | |
| 10 | Advanced Micro Devices IncInformation Technology | 1.10% |
Sector breakdown
ETFs most similar to VGS
How much each ETF’s holdings overlap with VGS, by weight. High overlap means owning both mostly doubles up.
| ETF | Overlap | |
|---|---|---|
| VGADVanguard MSCI Indx International Shre (Hedged) ETF | 82% | VGS vs VGAD → |
| BGBLBetashares Global Shares ETF | 76% | VGS vs BGBL → |
| HGBLBetashares Global Shares Currency Hedged ETF | 76% | VGS vs HGBL → |
| VESGVanguard Ethically Conscious Intl Shares Indx ETF | 66% | Compare in calculator → |
| V500Vanguard S&P 500 Us Shares Index ETF | 66% | Compare in calculator → |
| VTSVanguard Morningstar Us Total Mkt Shares Index ETF | 66% | Compare in calculator → |
Head to head: VGS vs BGBL · VGS vs IWLD · VGS vs HGBL · VGS vs VGAD · VGS vs IVV · VGS vs QUAL · all comparisons
Check VGS against your own ETFs →Core or satellite?
CORE Global shares
VGS is a core building block: the global half of a two-ETF core alongside VAS or A200. Read more in core and satellite investing.
Read more: A VAS and VGS portfolio · VDHG vs VAS and VGS · Hedged vs unhedged ETFs
VGS FAQs
Is VGS a good ETF?
VGS is a large, low-cost and well-diversified global shares ETF with a long track record. Its main alternative is BGBL, which holds almost the same companies for a lower fee. Whether it suits you depends on your goals and the rest of your portfolio.
What does VGS invest in?
VGS invests in more than a thousand large companies across the world’s developed markets outside Australia, weighted by size. Its largest holdings are NVIDIA Corp, Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, and its biggest sector is information technology at about 37%.
What ETFs are similar to VGS?
The ETFs with the most overlap with VGS are VGAD (about 82%) and BGBL (about 76%). Use the free ETF overlap calculator to check your own mix.
How often does VGS pay distributions?
VGS pays distributions quarterly.
Should I own VGS and VGAD together?
Usually there is little point: their holdings overlap by about 82%, so owning both mostly doubles up.
Fee, size and returns: TMX Australia Funds Report to 30 September 2026; returns are total returns, 5-year figure is cumulative. Holdings from Vanguard as at 30 September 2026; sector split based on the holdings we can see, about 83% of the fund. Chart: TradingView. General information only, not a recommendation to buy or sell VGS. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing.