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Own the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS)? Here's what you're invested in

Let's take a look at the holdings of this popular exchange-traded fund.

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Brooke Cooper
Brooke has been a Motley Fool contributor since early 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Communication with specialisations in journalism and international studies from Charles Sturt University. Brooke aims to inform and excite Aussies keen to grow their wealth by investing in ASX companies. When not writing or researching, you'll likely find Brooke gallivanting around South East Queensland.
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ASX investors looking to diversify their portfolio might turn to exchange-traded funds (EFTs) such as those offered by Vanguard.

And for Australians interested in benefitting from global markets but not sure where to start, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) could be seen to be a great option.

As with all EFTs, Vanguard's International Shares ETF is a collection of securities that can be traded like a share. However, this one is focused on international markets, housing a whopping 1505 stocks.

Right now, an investor can get their hands on a piece of the EFT for $101.69. Also worth noting is the fund's 1.58% dividend.

So, what companies are holders of Vanguard's International Shares ETF backing? Let's take a look.

A girl is handed an oversized ice cream cone with lots of different flavours.

Image source: Getty Images

What stocks make up the Vanguard International Shares EFT?

There are 5 stocks that each make up more than 1% of the Vanguard International Shares EFT. Interestingly but not surprisingly, they're all housed on the NASDAQ exchange and need no introduction.

They are Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), Facebook, Inc. Common Stock (NASDAQ: FB), Alphabet Inc Class C (NASDAQ: GOOG), and Alphabet Inc Class A (NASDAQ: GOOGL).

They make up around 4.6%, 3.5%, 2.4%, 1.4%, 1.4%, and 1.3% of the EFT respectively.

Tesla Inc (NYSE: TSLA) comes in just short, making up 0.9% of the EFT's holdings.

Other recognisable stocks held by the Vanguard International Shares EFT are Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Visa Inc (NYSE: V), PayPal Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: PYPL), and the currently renown Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE).

Further down the EFT's holdings rank are companies from the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland, among others.

Those interested can find the list of the EFT's 1505 holdings here.

Now, perhaps the most important question…

How has the EFT performed lately?

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares EFT has been doing well on the ASX lately.

It is currently trading for 21% higher than it was at the start of 2021 and 28% more than it was this time last year.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Teresa Kersten, an employee of LinkedIn, a Microsoft subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of and has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, PayPal Holdings, Tesla, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Johnson & Johnson and has recommended the following options: long January 2022 $1,920 calls on Amazon, long January 2022 $75 calls on PayPal Holdings, long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple, short January 2022 $1,940 calls on Amazon, and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet (A shares), Alphabet (C shares), Amazon, Apple, Facebook, PayPal Holdings, and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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