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VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

VGAD.AX (Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF) and ESGI.AX (VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF) are both Global Equities funds - VGAD.AX tracks the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) Index while ESGI.AX tracks the MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VGAD.AX returned 10.92%/yr vs 10.39%/yr for ESGI.AX. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF (VGAD.AX) and VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGAD.AX achieves a 9.81% return, which is significantly higher than ESGI.AX's 6.43% return.

VGAD.AX

1D
0.02%
1M
0.80%
6M
8.75%
YTD
9.81%
1Y
21.42%
3Y*
18.12%
5Y*
10.92%
10Y*
11.86%

ESGI.AX

1D
-0.45%
1M
4.59%
6M
4.93%
YTD
6.43%
1Y
8.19%
3Y*
14.32%
5Y*
10.39%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VGAD.AX
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF		9.81%17.93%20.42%21.59%-17.78%19.66%10.55%27.09%-5.83%
ESGI.AX
VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF		6.43%6.29%23.14%16.95%-7.32%24.77%4.97%28.97%-2.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VGAD.AX and ESGI.AX is 0.55, 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

0.55

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2018

0.59

The correlation between VGAD.AX and ESGI.AX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF

VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF

Return for Risk

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGAD.AX
VGAD.AX Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
VGAD.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGAD.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGAD.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
VGAD.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGAD.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX
ESGI.AX Risk / Return Rank: 1919
Overall Rank
ESGI.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2121
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2121
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 2020
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1717
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGI.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF (VGAD.AX) and VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.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.

VGAD.AXESGI.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.64
0.62

+1.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.29
0.98

+1.31

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.12

+0.19

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.59

0.60

+2.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.95

1.38

+9.57

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGAD.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is higher than the ESGI.AX Sharpe Ratio of 0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGAD.AX and ESGI.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.

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Drawdowns

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGAD.AX drawdown since its inception was -36.06%, which is greater than ESGI.AX's maximum drawdown of -22.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGAD.AX and ESGI.AX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGAD.AXESGI.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-36.06%

-22.88%

-13.18%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.32%

-14.92%

+6.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.20%

-14.92%

-4.28%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.39%

-19.38%

-5.01%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.06%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-1.00%

+1.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.58%

-4.51%

-0.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.00%

6.53%

-4.53%

Volatility

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF (VGAD.AX) is 2.66%, while VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF (ESGI.AX) has a volatility of 3.61%. This indicates that VGAD.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ESGI.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VGAD.AXESGI.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.66%

3.61%

-0.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.11%

12.18%

-1.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.22%

14.33%

-1.11%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.37%

13.00%

+3.37%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.65%

13.86%

+2.79%

Dividends

VGAD.AX vs. ESGI.AX - Dividend Comparison

VGAD.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, less than ESGI.AX's 2.71% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
ESGI.AX
VanEck MSCI International Sustainable Equity ETF		2.71%6.43%6.58%3.35%2.39%1.42%1.50%1.55%0.52%0.00%0.00%
VGAD.AX
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) ETF		2.26%3.27%4.47%0.00%0.00%7.04%0.00%0.00%1.16%3.88%1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

VGAD.AX and ESGI.AX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VGAD.AX tracks Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares (Hedged) Index, while ESGI.AX tracks MSCI World ex Australia ex Fossil Fuel Select SRI and Low Carbon Capped Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and VanEck.

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