Is VAS a better investment than an ASX dividend ETF?

We see how VAS compares to two dividend-focused exchange-traded funds.

| More on:
Four investors stand in a line holding cash fanned in their hands with thoughtful looks on their faces.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Vanguard's VAS is the most popular ETF on the ASX
  • But there are also many ETFs that specialise in delivering income to investors
  • We also take a look at the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF and the iShares S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunites ETF

Every month, it seems the dominance of the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) grows on the ASX.

As it currently stands, the VAS exchange-traded fund (ETF) has $11.04 billion in funds under management. That's more than double that of its closest index fund rival.

Clearly, ASX investors find the broad-based exposure to the ASX's 300 or so largest shares that VAS provides very useful.

But the ASX is also known for its dividends. After all, most of the largest ASX shares on the ASX 300 Index pay dividends.

That makes VAS itself a dividend-paying ETF in its own right. Its total dividend distributions over the past four quarters amounted to $4.66 per share. On current pricing (helped by VAS's big fall on Tuesday), this means those $4.66 in distributions give VAS a trailing yield of 5.58%.

That's certainly not a bad yield on paper. But the ASX is also home to many ETFs that purely focus on dividend income.

So how does VAS measure up to these other ETFs when it comes to dividends? Would income investors be better off with one of those funds instead of VAS?

Well, let's check it out.

How does the VAS ETF stack up?

Vanguard itself runs a dividend-focused ETF called the Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY). Instead of 300 shares, VHY only holds 63 select dividend shares in its portfolio.

This fund's last four dividend distributions came to a total of $$3.22 per unit. That gives VHY a trailing 12-month yield of 5.06% on current pricing. That yield alone doesn't match VAS.

In terms of performance, VHY has returned 9.14% over the past 12 months (to 31 May) and an average of 8.36% per annum over the past five years. That beats out VAS, which has given investors a 4.77% return over the past 12 months and an average of 8.95% per annum over the past five years.

But this is a rather strange situation where the dividend-focused ETF offers a lower distribution yield but better long-term performance – a reversal of what conventional wisdom dictates should happen.

Let's look at another income-focused ETF and see if this trend continues.

The iShares S&P/ASX Dividend Opportunites ETF (ASX: IHD) is a fund similar in nature to VHY. It only holds 48 ASX dividend shares at the moment and also pays out quarterly distributions. Its past four distributions came to 73.37 cents per unit. On IHD's current unit price of $12.77, that gives this ETF a distribution yield of 5.75%.

That comes in on top of all of the ETFs we've looked at today. But let's check out the performance figures here too.

IHD has returned 4.14% over the past 12 months (to 31 May). Over the past five years, it has averaged a return of 4.55% per annum.

Foolish takeaway

In conclusion, it seems that Vanguard's VHY dividend ETF has been a better investment than VAS or IHD both over the past year, and on average over the past five.

Saying that, investors chasing the highest yield above all else might have preferred the iShares IHD option for the raw yield one could obtain from that ETF.

It just goes to show that labels such as 'high yield' don't always deliver on what they might imply.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield Etf. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on ETFs

Five young people sit in a row having fun and interacting with their mobile phones.
ETFs

5 ASX ETFs to buy with $5,000 in June

Let's see what sort of stocks these funds are invested in.

Read more »

Business woman watching stocks and trends while thinking
ETFs

Following the US-China trade deal, is VTS ETF a more compelling investment?

Is the US stock market back in favour?

Read more »

The letters ETF with a man pointing at it.
ETFs

Why this is the biggest ASX ETF holding in my portfolio

This is one of the best ETFs to buy, in my opinion.

Read more »

A group of young people lined up on a wall are happy looking at their laptops and devices as they invest in the latest trendy stock.
ETFs

How to build a $100k ASX ETF portfolio in 10 years

Let's see how you could go from zero to $100k with exchange traded funds.

Read more »

happy investor, share price rise, increase, up
ETFs

3 fantastic ASX ETFs to supercharge your growth portfolio

Let's see why these funds could be top picks for investors looking for growth options.

Read more »

Global technology shares
ETFs

How to invest in the world's best stocks with ASX ETFs

These funds could be great options for investors looking to invest globally.

Read more »

A bland looking man in a brown suit opens his jacket to reveal a red and gold superhero dollar symbol on his chest.
ETFs

Where to invest $10,000 in ASX ETFs this week

Let's see which funds could be great picks for your hard-earned money.

Read more »

A young woman uses a laptop and calculator while working from home.
ETFs

$10,000 invested in QUAL ETF a year ago is now worth…

This ASX ETF follows an index that uses a filter to ensure all stock holdings meet 3 financial metrics.

Read more »