The exchange-traded fund (ETF) Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is one of the most popular ways to invest in the global share market on the ASX.
At the end of December 2021, the VGS ETF was $4.1 billion in size, though this may have dropped a bit in recent weeks as volatility has picked up.
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What is the VGS ETF?
It's an investment fund which investors can purchase via the ASX stock exchange, rather than going to directly to a fund manager.
This particular option is provided by Vanguard, one of the world's leading asset managers which prides itself on providing funds at very cheap prices.
The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF gives Aussies exposure to many of the world's largest companies that are listed in major developed markets like the US, Japan, the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland, Germany and so on.
What businesses are in the holdings?
At the end of December 2021, there was a grand total of 1,490 positions. That means there are almost 1,500 different businesses in the portfolio. Compared to most other ETFs on the ASX, that is a lot of diversification.
Not only are there lots of different holdings, but they also come from a broad range of industries including technology, financials, healthcare, consumer discretionary, industrials, communication services, consumer staples, resources, energy, utilities and so on.
In terms of the actual largest positions in the VGS ETF portfolio, we're talking about some of the world's most recognisable brands that have remarkably strong market positions. At the end of December, these were the biggest holdings: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon.com, Alphabet, Tesla, Facebook, NVIDIA, UnitedHealth, JPMorgan Chase, Johnson & Johnson, Home Depot, Procter & Gamble and Berkshire Hathaway.
What is the VGS ETF annual management fee?
A (low) cost of an ETF can be a key selling point. The lower the fee, the more of the returns that remain in the investor's hands, which can then keep compounding wealth over the long-term.
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF has an annual fee of 0.18%. This is a fraction of what many active, globally-focused fund managers charge (and then there's usually performance fees on top of that).
Returns
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. However, it might be informative to know how the ETF has performed over the longer-term. Remember, an ETF's performance is simply the combined returns of the underlying businesses.
Over the prior five years to December 2021, the VGS ETF had returned an average of 15.2% per annum. This isn't the highest return of all the ETFs on the ASX, but it has been comfortably higher than the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).
Future performance will also depend on the returns of the constituents like Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and so on.
