VESG.AX vs. VDGR.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VESG.AX (Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF) and VDGR.AX (Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VESG.AX is a Global Equities fund tracking the Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index Index, while VDGR.AX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Growth Composite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VESG.AX returned 12.18%/yr vs 6.32%/yr for VDGR.AX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VESG.AX vs. VDGR.AX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VESG.AX achieves a 6.51% return, which is significantly higher than VDGR.AX's 3.70% return.

VESG.AX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 1.11%
• 6M: 5.63%
• YTD: 6.51%
• 1Y: 15.76%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: 12.18%
• 10Y*: —

VDGR.AX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 3.29%
• YTD: 3.70%
• 1Y: 9.56%
• 3Y*: 10.85%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: —

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VESG.AX Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF	6.51%	12.41%	30.88%	25.56%	-17.69%	29.71%	9.79%	30.11%	-11.40%
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.70%	11.12%	12.97%	12.54%	-10.56%	12.28%	7.09%	19.35%	-6.12%

Correlation

The correlation between VESG.AX and VDGR.AX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 11, 2018	0.78

The correlation between VESG.AX and VDGR.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

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

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

VESG.AX

VESG.AX Risk / Return Rank: 42
VESG.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VESG.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VESG.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VESG.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VESG.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VDGR.AX

VDGR.AX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VDGR.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
VDGR.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VDGR.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF (VESG.AX) and Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.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.

	VESG.AX	VDGR.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	1.23	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	1.80	+0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.24	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.24	1.63	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.71	5.87	-2.16

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

The current VESG.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is comparable to the VDGR.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VESG.AX and VDGR.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

VESG.AX vs. VDGR.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VESG.AX drawdown since its inception was -23.90%, roughly equal to the maximum VDGR.AX drawdown of -23.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VESG.AX and VDGR.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VESG.AX	VDGR.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.90%	-23.90%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.59%	-5.99%	-6.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.93%	-10.00%	-4.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.90%	-15.79%	-8.11%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.75%	-0.48%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-3.35%	-1.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.30%	1.69%	+2.61%

Volatility

VESG.AX vs. VDGR.AX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF (VESG.AX) has a higher volatility of 3.06% compared to Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF (VDGR.AX) at 1.33%. This indicates that VESG.AX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDGR.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VESG.AX	VDGR.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.06%	1.33%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	6.65%	+2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.12%	7.96%	+3.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.36%	8.97%	+4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.06%	9.61%	+4.45%

Dividends

VESG.AX vs. VDGR.AX - Dividend Comparison

VESG.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than VDGR.AX's 3.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VDGR.AX Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF	3.67%	3.04%	1.60%	2.04%	3.42%	8.07%	5.20%	2.91%	1.56%
VESG.AX Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF	1.09%	1.47%	0.73%	1.45%	1.83%	0.99%	1.47%	1.37%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VESG.AX and VDGR.AX have a correlation of 0.78, 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 VESG.AX and VDGR.AX?

VESG.AX is categorized as Global Equities, while VDGR.AX is Diversified Portfolio. VESG.AX tracks Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index Index, while VDGR.AX tracks Growth Composite Index.