PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

VISM.AX (Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF) and VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VISM.AX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index Index, while VAE.AX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VISM.AX returned 8.19%/yr vs 7.50%/yr for VAE.AX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VISM.AX achieves a 8.36% return, which is significantly lower than VAE.AX's 14.07% return.

VISM.AX

1D
-0.22%
1M
-0.63%
6M
5.57%
YTD
8.36%
1Y
16.46%
3Y*
14.38%
5Y*
8.19%
10Y*
—

VAE.AX

1D
-2.15%
1M
-4.88%
6M
8.90%
YTD
14.07%
1Y
26.35%
3Y*
19.84%
5Y*
7.50%
10Y*
9.73%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VISM.AX
Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF		8.36%12.20%16.67%14.76%-13.42%21.81%5.65%29.06%-9.49%
VAE.AX
Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF		14.07%23.98%22.74%3.18%-14.06%0.49%12.05%17.01%3.23%

Correlation

The correlation between VISM.AX and VAE.AX is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.42

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

0.36

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

0.42

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2018

0.42

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF

Often compared with VAE.AX:
VAE.AX vs. VAS.AXVAE.AX vs. VHY.AXVAE.AX vs. VDBA.AXVAE.AX vs. VSO.AXVAE.AX vs. VDHG.AXVAE.AX vs. VDGR.AXVAE.AX vs. VWILX

Return for Risk

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VISM.AX
VISM.AX Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
VISM.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3939
Calmar Ratio Rank
VISM.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 4242
Martin Ratio Rank
VAE.AX
VAE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 4949
Overall Rank
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4646
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 5050
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.

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) and Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.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.

VISM.AXVAE.AXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.35
1.35

+0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.98
1.88

+0.09

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.25

1.25

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.65

2.32

-0.67

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.50

6.98

-1.49

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VISM.AX Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VISM.AX and VAE.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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VISM.AX drawdown since its inception was -31.98%, roughly equal to the maximum VAE.AX drawdown of -31.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VISM.AX and VAE.AX.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VISM.AXVAE.AXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-31.98%

-31.55%

-0.43%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.64%

-10.43%

-0.21%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.91%

-10.43%

-5.48%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.47%

-28.79%

+4.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-31.55%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.83%

-8.01%

+5.18%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.64%

-7.69%

+1.05%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.24%

3.54%

-0.30%

Volatility

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (VISM.AX) is 2.55%, while Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) has a volatility of 8.45%. This indicates that VISM.AX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAE.AX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VISM.AXVAE.AXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.55%

8.45%

-5.90%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.58%

16.54%

-5.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.11%

18.03%

-4.92%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.41%

15.44%

-1.03%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.80%

14.78%

+1.02%

Dividends

VISM.AX vs. VAE.AX - Dividend Comparison

VISM.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.88%, more than VAE.AX's 1.18% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
VAE.AX
Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF		1.18%2.29%3.07%1.93%0.73%0.58%1.00%1.83%2.59%1.44%2.26%
VISM.AX
Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF		6.88%3.82%1.43%2.81%4.41%5.03%3.59%3.95%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

VISM.AX and VAE.AX have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VISM.AX is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VAE.AX is Asia Pacific Equities. VISM.AX tracks Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index Index, while VAE.AX tracks FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VISM.AX and VAE.AX

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer