VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VUSA.L (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF) and VHVG.L (Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF Acc) are both exchange-traded funds - VUSA.L is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VHVG.L is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI NR USD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VUSA.L returned 14.94%/yr vs 13.30%/yr for VHVG.L. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VUSA.L charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VHVG.L.

Performance

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF Acc (VHVG.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VUSA.L achieves a 10.52% return, which is significantly lower than VHVG.L's 11.81% return.

VUSA.L

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 10.52%
• 6M: 10.48%
• 1Y: 29.10%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 14.94%
• 10Y*: 16.07%

VHVG.L

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 4.03%
• YTD: 11.81%
• 6M: 11.88%
• 1Y: 29.75%
• 3Y*: 18.37%
• 5Y*: 13.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VUSA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	10.52%	9.39%	27.33%	19.81%	-9.02%	30.98%	13.66%	2.05%
VHVG.L Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF Acc	11.81%	13.85%	19.99%	17.54%	-8.66%	23.31%	12.56%	1.61%

Correlation

The correlation between VUSA.L and VHVG.L is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2019	0.96

The correlation between VUSA.L and VHVG.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VUSA.L	VHVG.L
Technology	35.7%	29.0%
Financial Services	11.6%	15.6%
Communication Services	11.3%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	9.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	8.5%
Industrials	8.3%	11.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	5.1%
Energy	3.5%	4.1%
Utilities	2.4%	2.6%
Real Estate	1.9%	2.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	3.4%

Return for Risk

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUSA.L

VUSA.L Risk / Return Rank: 82
VUSA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VUSA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VUSA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VUSA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VUSA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VHVG.L

VHVG.L Risk / Return Rank: 86
VHVG.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VHVG.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VHVG.L Omega Ratio Rank: 88
VHVG.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VHVG.L Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF Acc (VHVG.L). 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.

	VUSA.L	VHVG.L	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.74	2.90	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	3.99	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.55	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.08	4.29	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	17.65	-2.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUSA.L Sharpe Ratio is 2.74, which is comparable to the VHVG.L Sharpe Ratio of 2.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUSA.L and VHVG.L, 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

	VUSA.L	VHVG.L	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.74	2.90	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.04	1.03	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.03	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	0.89	+0.17

Drawdowns

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUSA.L drawdown since its inception was -25.47%, roughly equal to the maximum VHVG.L drawdown of -25.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUSA.L and VHVG.L.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUSA.L	VHVG.L	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.47%	-25.41%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.11%	-6.94%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.94%	-17.96%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.94%	-17.96%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.47%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.36%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.19%	-3.28%	+0.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.69%	+0.24%

Volatility

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Developed World UCITS ETF Acc (VHVG.L) have volatilities of 2.63% and 2.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUSA.L	VHVG.L	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	2.72%	-0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.12%	7.53%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.58%	10.27%	+0.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.29%	12.97%	+1.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.64%	15.06%	+0.58%

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUSA.L has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VHVG.L's 0.12% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VUSA.L vs. VHVG.L - Dividend Comparison

VUSA.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, while VHVG.L has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VHVG.L Vanguard FTSE Developed World 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%
VUSA.L Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	0.87%	0.95%	1.00%	1.24%	1.41%	1.04%	1.44%	1.50%	1.72%	1.61%	1.58%	1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUSA.L and VHVG.L in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VUSA.L and VHVG.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, VUSA.L or VHVG.L?

On fees, VUSA.L is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VUSA.L or VHVG.L?

VUSA.L is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for VHVG.L.

What is the main difference between VUSA.L and VHVG.L?

VUSA.L is categorized as S&P 500, while VHVG.L is Global Equities. VUSA.L tracks S&P 500 Index, while VHVG.L tracks MSCI ACWI NR USD. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VUSA.L and 0.12% for VHVG.L.