VFEG.L vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VFEG.L (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from Vanguard - VFEG.L tracks the MSCI EM NR USD while VWO tracks the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VFEG.L returned 6.12%/yr vs 6.30%/yr for VWO. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VFEG.L charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEG.L) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VFEG.L is traded in GBP, while VWO is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VWO values have been converted to GBP using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFEG.L achieves a 11.73% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 12.64% return.

VFEG.L

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.54%
• YTD: 11.73%
• 6M: 12.29%
• 1Y: 30.60%
• 3Y*: 15.18%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: —

VWO

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.53%
• YTD: 12.64%
• 6M: 12.71%
• 1Y: 30.65%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 10Y*: 9.57%

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

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VFEG.L Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc	11.73%	17.15%	14.13%	1.28%	-7.26%	-0.01%	11.28%	4.51%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	12.64%	16.65%	12.52%	3.79%	-8.23%	2.22%	11.79%	2.99%

Correlation

The correlation between VFEG.L and VWO is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.79

The correlation between VFEG.L and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VFEG.L	VWO
Technology	29.6%	29.6%
Financial Services	20.8%	19.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.8%	10.7%
Basic Materials	7.8%	8.0%
Communication Services	7.5%	7.1%
Industrials	7.1%	8.0%
Energy	4.9%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.7%
Healthcare	3.4%	3.9%
Utilities	3.0%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.7%	2.2%

Return for Risk

VFEG.L vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFEG.L

VFEG.L Risk / Return Rank: 66
VFEG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VFEG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VFEG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFEG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFEG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 56
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEG.L) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	VFEG.L	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.21	2.19	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	3.00	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.24	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.12	11.41	-0.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFEG.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.21, which is comparable to the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFEG.L and VWO, 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

	VFEG.L	VWO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.21	2.19	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.41	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.26	+0.17

Drawdowns

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFEG.L drawdown since its inception was -25.35%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFEG.L and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFEG.L	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.35%	-54.63%	+29.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.99%	-9.50%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.61%	-15.35%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.47%	-19.03%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-27.22%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.40%	-1.09%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.82%	-10.35%	+1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.75%	2.69%	+0.06%

Volatility

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc (VFEG.L) has a higher volatility of 5.09% compared to Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) at 4.77%. This indicates that VFEG.L's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFEG.L	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.09%	4.77%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.04%	11.51%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.80%	14.07%	-0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	15.30%	-0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.44%	18.25%	-0.81%

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFEG.L has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFEG.L vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

VFEG.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFEG.L Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets UCITS ETF Acc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.41%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFEG.L and VWO in my portfolio?

VFEG.L and VWO have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VFEG.L or VWO?

On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VFEG.L or VWO?

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VFEG.L.

What is the main difference between VFEG.L and VWO?

VFEG.L tracks MSCI EM NR USD, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VFEG.L and 0.08% for VWO.