PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

QAU.AX (Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF) and VDCO.AX (Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF) are both Global Equities funds - QAU.AX tracks the Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged Index while VDCO.AX tracks the Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QAU.AX returned 14.73%/yr vs 2.59%/yr for VDCO.AX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF (QAU.AX) and Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (VDCO.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QAU.AX achieves a -8.03% return, which is significantly lower than VDCO.AX's 2.01% return.

QAU.AX

1D
-0.03%
1M
-6.30%
6M
-13.74%
YTD
-8.03%
1Y
18.15%
3Y*
25.00%
5Y*
14.73%
10Y*
9.63%

VDCO.AX

1D
0.09%
1M
0.09%
6M
1.96%
YTD
2.01%
1Y
5.49%
3Y*
6.60%
5Y*
2.59%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QAU.AX
Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF		-8.03%64.44%23.72%10.71%-2.91%-5.11%20.13%17.39%-2.97%1.05%
VDCO.AX
Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF		2.01%7.45%6.44%7.89%-10.41%4.36%5.01%12.41%0.52%0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between QAU.AX and VDCO.AX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.30

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.23

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.23

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 20, 2017

0.14

The correlation between QAU.AX and VDCO.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF

Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF

Return for Risk

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QAU.AX
QAU.AX Risk / Return Rank: 2121
Overall Rank
QAU.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2222
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QAU.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
QAU.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
QAU.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1818
Calmar Ratio Rank
QAU.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1818
Martin Ratio Rank
VDCO.AX
VDCO.AX Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
VDCO.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3535
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDCO.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3636
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDCO.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
VDCO.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDCO.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF (QAU.AX) and Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (VDCO.AX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

QAU.AXVDCO.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.65
1.05

-0.40

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.03
1.59

-0.57

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.21

-0.06

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.64

1.43

-0.79

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.46

5.21

-3.75

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAU.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.65, which is lower than the VDCO.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAU.AX and VDCO.AX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAU.AX drawdown since its inception was -42.74%, which is greater than VDCO.AX's maximum drawdown of -13.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAU.AX and VDCO.AX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

QAU.AXVDCO.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-42.74%

-13.68%

-29.06%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-28.96%

-3.89%

-25.07%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.96%

-4.36%

-24.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.96%

-13.68%

-15.28%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.96%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-27.79%

-0.46%

-27.33%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-19.51%

-2.87%

-16.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

12.79%

1.08%

+11.71%

Volatility

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Volatility Comparison

Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF (QAU.AX) has a higher volatility of 7.22% compared to Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (VDCO.AX) at 1.18%. This indicates that QAU.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDCO.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

QAU.AXVDCO.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.22%

1.18%

+6.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

25.36%

4.70%

+20.66%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

28.36%

5.30%

+23.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.34%

5.45%

+12.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.86%

5.61%

+11.25%

Dividends

QAU.AX vs. VDCO.AX - Dividend Comparison

QAU.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.48%, more than VDCO.AX's 4.92% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018
QAU.AX
Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged ETF		5.48%1.29%0.00%0.00%0.00%5.37%2.29%0.00%0.00%
VDCO.AX
Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF		4.92%2.33%0.79%1.03%1.77%7.86%3.73%1.26%0.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

QAU.AX and VDCO.AX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QAU.AX tracks Betashares Gold Bullion Currency Hedged Index, while VDCO.AX tracks Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index Index. They also come from different issuers: BetaShares and Vanguard.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for QAU.AX and VDCO.AX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer