VAE.AX vs. VWILX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) and VWILX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VAE.AX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index, while VWILX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. VAE.AX is passively managed, while VWILX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VAE.AX returned 11.77%/yr vs 10.99%/yr for VWILX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VAE.AX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for VWILX.

Performance

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - 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 International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VAE.AX is traded in AUD, while VWILX is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VWILX values have been converted to AUD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAE.AX achieves a 23.02% return, which is significantly higher than VWILX's -0.96% return. Over the past 10 years, VAE.AX has outperformed VWILX with an annualized return of 11.77%, while VWILX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.99% annualized return.

VAE.AX

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: 7.39%
• YTD: 23.02%
• 6M: 24.46%
• 1Y: 39.00%
• 3Y*: 22.86%
• 5Y*: 9.41%
• 10Y*: 11.77%

VWILX

• 1D: -1.62%
• 1M: 2.41%
• YTD: -0.96%
• 6M: -0.61%
• 1Y: 0.90%
• 3Y*: 10.26%
• 5Y*: -0.71%
• 10Y*: 10.99%

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

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	23.02%	23.45%	21.20%	3.47%	-12.49%	1.62%	13.53%	17.37%	-5.20%	29.05%
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	-0.96%	11.36%	20.17%	14.89%	-26.22%	-7.70%	45.74%	32.11%	-3.21%	32.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VAE.AX and VWILX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2015	0.22

Return for Risk

VAE.AX vs. VWILX — 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: 76
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

VWILX

VWILX Risk / Return Rank: 8
VWILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VWILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VWILX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VWILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VWILX Martin Ratio Rank: 9

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. VWILX - 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 International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX). 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	VWILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	0.19	+1.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.00	0.37	+2.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.04	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.46	0.17	+3.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.22	0.43	+10.79

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the VWILX Sharpe Ratio of 0.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAE.AX and VWILX, 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. VWILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAE.AX drawdown since its inception was -29.76%, smaller than the maximum VWILX drawdown of -45.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAE.AX and VWILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAE.AX	VWILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.76%	-45.97%	+16.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.43%	-16.98%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.43%	-16.98%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.63%	-45.97%	+18.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.76%	-45.97%	+16.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-10.92%	+10.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.17%	-15.77%	+8.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	6.60%	-3.32%

Volatility

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) has a higher volatility of 7.57% compared to Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) at 5.20%. This indicates that VAE.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAE.AX	VWILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.57%	5.20%	+2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.93%	12.38%	+2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.59%	15.19%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.13%	19.91%	-4.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.65%	18.60%	-3.95%

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAE.AX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VWILX's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAE.AX vs. VWILX - Dividend Comparison

VAE.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, less than VWILX's 6.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	1.22%	1.87%	1.81%	2.21%	2.50%	1.71%	2.19%	2.11%	2.93%	2.49%	2.26%	0.00%
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.71%	6.89%	9.81%	1.92%	7.03%	0.36%	2.38%	1.30%	5.52%	0.84%	1.42%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VAE.AX and VWILX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.