VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VDBA.AX (Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF) and VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDBA.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Balanced Composite Index, while VAE.AX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDBA.AX returned 4.94%/yr vs 9.43%/yr for VAE.AX. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VDBA.AX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VAE.AX.

Performance

VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDBA.AX achieves a 2.53% return, which is significantly lower than VAE.AX's 21.68% return.

VDBA.AX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 2.28%
• YTD: 2.53%
• 6M: 3.26%
• 1Y: 9.16%
• 3Y*: 9.27%
• 5Y*: 4.94%
• 10Y*: —

VAE.AX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 10.83%
• YTD: 21.68%
• 6M: 22.27%
• 1Y: 43.48%
• 3Y*: 21.95%
• 5Y*: 9.43%
• 10Y*: 11.29%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDBA.AX Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF	2.53%	8.98%	10.73%	10.63%	-10.82%	8.80%	5.65%	16.12%	-0.09%	0.78%
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	21.68%	23.44%	21.19%	3.47%	-12.49%	1.62%	13.53%	17.38%	-5.20%	-1.19%

Correlation

The correlation between VDBA.AX and VAE.AX is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2017	0.47

The correlation between VDBA.AX and VAE.AX shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (3 years) to 0.57 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

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

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

VDBA.AX

VDBA.AX Risk / Return Rank: 42
VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
VDBA.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VDBA.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VDBA.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VDBA.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VAE.AX

VAE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.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.

	VDBA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.74	-1.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	3.76	-1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.50	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	4.13	-2.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.65	14.11	-7.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDBA.AX and VAE.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VDBA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	2.74	-1.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.63	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.74	+0.06

Drawdowns

VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDBA.AX drawdown since its inception was -18.31%, smaller than the maximum VAE.AX drawdown of -29.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDBA.AX and VAE.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDBA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.31%	-29.76%	+11.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.20%	-10.43%	+5.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.89%	-10.43%	+3.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.82%	-27.63%	+12.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-29.76%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.01%	-7.24%	+4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	3.06%	-1.69%

Volatility

VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) is 2.10%, while Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) has a volatility of 5.67%. This indicates that VDBA.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAE.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDBA.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.10%	5.67%	-3.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.15%	13.60%	-8.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.17%	15.77%	-9.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.00%	14.87%	-7.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.42%	14.55%	-7.13%

VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDBA.AX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than VAE.AX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDBA.AX vs. VAE.AX - Dividend Comparison

VDBA.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than VAE.AX's 1.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
VAE.AX Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF	1.44%	1.87%	1.81%	2.21%	2.50%	1.71%	2.19%	2.11%	2.93%	2.64%	2.26%
VDBA.AX Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF	3.49%	2.83%	1.97%	1.56%	3.25%	9.02%	5.12%	1.72%	1.22%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VDBA.AX and VAE.AX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VDBA.AX or VAE.AX?

On fees, VDBA.AX is cheaper at 0.27% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDBA.AX or VAE.AX?

VDBA.AX is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for VAE.AX.

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

VDBA.AX is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while VAE.AX is Asia Pacific Equities. VDBA.AX tracks Balanced Composite Index, while VAE.AX tracks FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index. Their fees differ too: 0.27% for VDBA.AX and 0.40% for VAE.AX.