VDGR.AX vs. VDBA.AX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VDGR.AX (Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF) and VDBA.AX (Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Vanguard - VDGR.AX tracks the Growth Composite Index while VDBA.AX tracks the Balanced Composite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDGR.AX returned 7.10%/yr vs 4.94%/yr for VDBA.AX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.27% expense ratio.

Performance

VDGR.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDGR.AX achieves a 3.36% return, which is significantly higher than VDBA.AX's 2.53% return.

VDGR.AX

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: 2.92%
• YTD: 3.36%
• 6M: 4.23%
• 1Y: 11.94%
• 3Y*: 11.80%
• 5Y*: 7.10%
• 10Y*: —

VDBA.AX

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

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.36%	11.12%	14.15%	12.94%	-10.19%	12.28%	7.09%	19.35%	-0.78%	1.14%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2017	0.86

The correlation between VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

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

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

VDGR.AX

VDGR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VDGR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VDGR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VDGR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
VDGR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) and Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.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.

	VDGR.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	1.47	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.19	2.17	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.28	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	1.75	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	6.65	+0.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is comparable to the VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDGR.AX and VDBA.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

	VDGR.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	1.47	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.71	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.80	+0.02

Drawdowns

VDGR.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDGR.AX drawdown since its inception was -23.90%, which is greater than VDBA.AX's maximum drawdown of -18.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDGR.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.90%	-18.31%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.99%	-5.20%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.00%	-6.89%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.79%	-14.82%	-0.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.33%	-3.01%	-0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	1.37%	+0.23%

Volatility

VDGR.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) at 2.10%. This indicates that VDGR.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDBA.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDGR.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	2.10%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.22%	5.15%	+1.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.67%	6.17%	+1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.93%	7.00%	+1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.65%	7.42%	+2.23%

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

Both VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX have an expense ratio of 0.27%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VDGR.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Dividend Comparison

VDGR.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.17%, less than VDBA.AX's 3.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
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%
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.17%	3.04%	2.57%	2.36%	3.91%	8.07%	5.20%	2.91%	2.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

With a correlation of 0.91, VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

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

Both ETFs have the same 0.27% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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

VDGR.AX and VDBA.AX have the same expense ratio: 0.27% per year.

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

VDGR.AX tracks Growth Composite Index, while VDBA.AX tracks Balanced Composite Index.