VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) and VEFI.AX (Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VAE.AX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index, while VEFI.AX is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VAE.AX returned 6.68%/yr vs -1.60%/yr for VEFI.AX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) and Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF (VEFI.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAE.AX achieves a 9.78% return, which is significantly higher than VEFI.AX's -0.80% return.

VAE.AX

• 1D: -3.98%
• 1M: -9.64%
• 6M: 4.02%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 1Y: 20.17%
• 3Y*: 18.38%
• 5Y*: 6.68%
• 10Y*: 9.26%

VEFI.AX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -0.65%
• 6M: -0.18%
• YTD: -0.80%
• 1Y: 1.92%
• 3Y*: 2.30%
• 5Y*: -1.60%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	9.78%	23.98%	22.74%	3.18%	-14.06%	0.49%	12.05%	17.01%	-4.64%
VEFI.AX Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF	-0.80%	4.62%	0.11%	3.80%	-13.58%	-2.40%	5.31%	7.21%	1.60%

Correlation

The correlation between VAE.AX and VEFI.AX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2018	0.06

The correlation between VAE.AX and VEFI.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VAE.AX

VAE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 40
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VEFI.AX

VEFI.AX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VEFI.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VEFI.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VEFI.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
VEFI.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
VEFI.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) and Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF (VEFI.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.

	VAE.AX	VEFI.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	0.49	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	0.69	+0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.09	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.69	0.68	+1.00
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	1.67	+3.79

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is higher than the VEFI.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAE.AX and VEFI.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.

Drawdowns

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAE.AX drawdown since its inception was -31.55%, which is greater than VEFI.AX's maximum drawdown of -18.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAE.AX and VEFI.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAE.AX	VEFI.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.55%	-18.73%	-12.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.47%	-2.69%	-8.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.47%	-4.78%	-6.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.59%	-18.17%	-10.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.55%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.47%	-9.12%	-2.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.70%	-7.54%	-0.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.61%	1.12%	+2.49%

Volatility

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) has a higher volatility of 9.15% compared to Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF (VEFI.AX) at 0.98%. This indicates that VAE.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEFI.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAE.AX	VEFI.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.15%	0.98%	+8.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.99%	2.97%	+14.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.42%	3.78%	+14.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.53%	5.43%	+10.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.83%	5.64%	+9.19%

Dividends

VAE.AX vs. VEFI.AX - Dividend Comparison

VAE.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, less than VEFI.AX's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	1.23%	2.29%	3.07%	1.93%	0.73%	0.58%	1.00%	1.83%	2.59%	1.44%	2.26%
VEFI.AX Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) ETF	1.68%	2.89%	0.97%	1.47%	0.89%	7.18%	4.56%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAE.AX and VEFI.AX in my portfolio?

VAE.AX and VEFI.AX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

What is the main difference between VAE.AX and VEFI.AX?

VAE.AX is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while VEFI.AX is Total Bond Market. VAE.AX tracks FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index, while VEFI.AX tracks Vanguard Ethically Conscious Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged) Index.