VLC.AX vs. VAE.AX

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VLC.AX (Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF) and VAE.AX (Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VLC.AX is a Global Equities fund tracking the Vanguard MSCI Australian Large 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 10 years, VLC.AX returned 9.02%/yr vs 9.73%/yr for VAE.AX. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VLC.AX vs. VAE.AX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLC.AX achieves a 7.09% return, which is significantly lower than VAE.AX's 14.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VLC.AX has underperformed VAE.AX with an annualized return of 9.02%, while VAE.AX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.73% annualized return.

VLC.AX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.91%
• 6M: 8.49%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 1Y: 9.19%
• 3Y*: 11.43%
• 5Y*: 8.20%
• 10Y*: 9.02%

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)

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VLC.AX Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF	7.09%	7.92%	8.78%	12.26%	3.84%	16.09%	2.10%	22.77%	-2.67%	5.75%
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%	-5.50%	27.59%

Correlation

The correlation between VLC.AX and VAE.AX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2015	0.36

Return for Risk

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

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

VLC.AX

VLC.AX Risk / Return Rank: 25
VLC.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
VLC.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VLC.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
VLC.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VLC.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

VAE.AX

VAE.AX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
VAE.AX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VAE.AX Omega Ratio Rank: 47
VAE.AX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VAE.AX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (VLC.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.

	VLC.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	1.35	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.88	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.25	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.22	2.32	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.75	6.98	-4.24

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

The current VLC.AX Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the VAE.AX Sharpe Ratio of 1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLC.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.

Drawdowns

VLC.AX vs. VAE.AX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLC.AX drawdown since its inception was -32.68%, roughly equal to the maximum VAE.AX drawdown of -31.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLC.AX and VAE.AX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLC.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-31.55%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-10.43%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.25%	-10.43%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.25%	-28.79%	+14.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.68%	-31.55%	-1.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.15%	-8.01%	+6.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.02%	-7.69%	+2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.60%	3.54%	+0.06%

Volatility

VLC.AX vs. VAE.AX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (VLC.AX) is 2.89%, while Vanguard FTSE Asia ex Japan Shares Index ETF (VAE.AX) has a volatility of 8.45%. This indicates that VLC.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.

Volatility by Period

	VLC.AX	VAE.AX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	8.45%	-5.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.25%	16.54%	-6.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.32%	18.03%	-4.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.61%	15.44%	-1.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.63%	14.78%	-0.15%

Dividends

VLC.AX vs. VAE.AX - Dividend Comparison

VLC.AX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.42%, more than VAE.AX's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
VLC.AX Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF	2.42%	4.98%	1.31%	3.86%	7.79%	4.16%	2.71%	4.76%	3.74%	3.11%	2.90%	3.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLC.AX and VAE.AX in my portfolio?

VLC.AX and VAE.AX have a correlation of 0.39, 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 VLC.AX and VAE.AX?

VLC.AX is categorized as Global Equities, while VAE.AX is Asia Pacific Equities. VLC.AX tracks Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index Index, while VAE.AX tracks FTSE Asia Pacific ex Japan, Australia and New Zealand Index.