VDHG.AX vs. VDBA.AX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VDHG.AX (Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF) and VDBA.AX (Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDHG.AX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VDBA.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Balanced Composite Index. VDHG.AX is actively managed, while VDBA.AX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VDHG.AX returned 8.48%/yr vs 4.87%/yr for VDBA.AX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.27% expense ratio.

Performance

VDHG.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF (VDHG.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, VDHG.AX achieves a 3.21% return, which is significantly higher than VDBA.AX's 2.18% return.

VDHG.AX

• 1D: -1.03%
• 1M: 2.79%
• YTD: 3.21%
• 6M: 4.40%
• 1Y: 12.72%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: —

VDBA.AX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.02%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 6M: 2.97%
• 1Y: 8.35%
• 3Y*: 9.07%
• 5Y*: 4.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VDHG.AX Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF	3.21%	12.88%	17.84%	15.49%	-9.55%	13.42%	7.74%	23.67%	-2.22%	1.42%
VDBA.AX Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF	2.18%	8.98%	10.73%	10.63%	-10.82%	8.80%	5.65%	16.12%	-0.09%	0.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VDHG.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	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2017	0.86

The correlation between VDHG.AX and VDBA.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

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

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

VDHG.AX

VDHG.AX Risk / Return Rank: 38
VDHG.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
VDHG.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VDHG.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VDHG.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
VDHG.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VDBA.AX

VDBA.AX Risk / Return Rank: 38
VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VDBA.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VDBA.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VDBA.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VDBA.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF (VDHG.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.

	VDHG.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	1.98	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.26	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.72	1.59	+0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.53	6.06	+0.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current VDHG.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the VDBA.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDHG.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

	VDHG.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.69	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.80	-0.01

Drawdowns

VDHG.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDHG.AX drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, 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 VDHG.AX and VDBA.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDHG.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.34%	-18.31%	-10.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.32%	-5.20%	-2.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.49%	-6.89%	-5.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.16%	-14.82%	-2.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.34%	-0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-3.01%	-0.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.37%	+0.57%

Volatility

VDHG.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF (VDHG.AX) has a higher volatility of 2.90% compared to Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF (VDBA.AX) at 2.10%. This indicates that VDHG.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

	VDHG.AX	VDBA.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	2.10%	+0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.76%	5.17%	+2.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.58%	6.17%	+3.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.82%	7.00%	+3.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.84%	7.42%	+4.42%

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

Both VDHG.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

VDHG.AX vs. VDBA.AX - Dividend Comparison

VDHG.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, less than VDBA.AX's 3.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VDBA.AX Vanguard Diversified Balanced Index ETF	3.50%	2.83%	1.97%	1.56%	3.25%	9.02%	5.12%	1.72%	1.22%
VDHG.AX Vanguard Diversified High Growth INDEX ETF	3.27%	3.94%	3.15%	2.68%	4.94%	5.52%	5.09%	3.87%	2.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

With a correlation of 0.91, VDHG.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, VDHG.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, VDHG.AX or VDBA.AX?

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

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

VDHG.AX is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VDBA.AX is Diversified Portfolio.