This is pushing global benchmarks into the green recently. 

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) recovered more than 1% overnight. Today, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has opened with strong momentum.

Since the end of March, both indexes have rallied, with Australia's benchmark up more than 6% and the S&P 500 rising more than 8%. 

While it's impossible to predict what will happen in the Middle East, one possibility is we have already hit the bottom of the current cycle. 

If this is the case, it may be time to buy low on ASX ETFs that are yet to fully bounce back from yearly lows. 

Here are three ASX ETFs to consider.

iShares International Equity ETFs – iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ)

Healthcare stocks have been some of the hardest hit in 2026. 

Unsurprisingly, this ASX ETF has been heavily sold off. 

It is down more than 12% since November last year, but has slowly started to bounce back since late March. 

The fund aims to provide investors with the performance of the S&P Global 1200 Healthcare (Sector) Capped Index, before fees and expenses. 

The index is designed to measure the performance of healthcare providers, biotechnology companies and manufacturers of medical supplies, advanced medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

This fund has been around since 2001, and in the last 10 years has brought annualised returns of nearly 10% per year. 

The recent drop off could be a rare opportunity to buy low on this ASX ETF. 

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)

This ASX ETF seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. 

This index includes real estate companies in the retail, office, industrial and diversified sectors. 

Since inception in 2010, it has brought annualised returns of nearly 10% per year. 

However, it is currently down nearly 18% since late last year. 

This could be a rare opportunity to access exposure to the Australian real estate industry at a relative value. 

Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index Etf Fun (ASX: VESG)

This ASX ETF was first listed in 2018, since then, it has brought an average annualised return of more than 12%. 

At the time of writing, it is down almost 7% since yearly highs back in January. 

It includes more than 1,400 holdings, and is an ESG fund. 

This means it excludes companies that have a specified level of business involvement in fossil fuels, nuclear power, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, adult entertainment or weapons.

The post ASX ETFs that might never be this cheap again appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors who own Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) or other ETFs will receive their dividends on 20 April.

According to the schedule, the ex-dividend date is tomorrow, 1 April, and the record date is 2 April.

In order to be entitled to a dividend, new investors must buy the ETF before the ex-dividend date.

How much will ASX VAS investors get?

ASX VAS is the most popular ETF on the market with $24.21 billion in funds under management.

VAS ETF tracks the performance of the top 300 listed companies in Australia via the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO).

Vanguard will pay 84.788 cents per unit to ASX VAS investors on 20 April.

Here is a summary of the dividends that other Vanguard ETFs will pay to investors next month.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), which tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index, will pay 81.1836 cents per unit.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) will pay 64.7933 cents per unit. This ASX ETF provides exposure to 16,000 ASX and international shares.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), which provides exposure to 1,500 stocks in developed nations outside Australia, will pay 39.576 cents per unit.

Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) will pay 29.4897 cents per unit. This ASX ETF tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) will pay 50.5505 cents per unit. This ASX ETF allows investors exposure to bricks and mortar via the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index.

Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ), which tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars, will pay 27.0768 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM), which tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars, will pay 177.1192 cents per unit.

Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF (ASX: VESG) will pay 43.9277 cents per unit. This ASX ETF tracks the FTSE Developed ex Australia Choice Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars.

Want to reinvest your dividends?

A distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) is available for ASX VAS and the other Vanguard ETFs listed above.

DRP elections must be made by 5pm on Thursday.

The post Own ASX VAS or other Vanguard ETFs? Dividends just announced appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This includes the market's largest ETF, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS).

Aussie investors have $22.58 billion invested in ASX VAS, which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO).

VAS ETF delivered a total gross return of 10.07% last year, made up of 7.05% in capital growth and a dividend yield of 3.02%.

The ETF closed out the year at $108.90 per unit on 31 December after retracing a little from its 52-week high of $113.18 on 16 October.

On Friday, VAS closed the week at $110.50 per unit, up 0.53%.

Let's recap the dividends to be paid out today for investors in VAS and other Vanguard ETFs.

How much will Vanguard ETF investors receive?

Here is a summary of the dividends that Vanguard will pay to investors today.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) will pay a dividend of 82.08 cents per unit.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), which tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index, will pay 65.83 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) will pay a dividend of 47.36 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO) will pay 129.60 cents per unit. The VSO tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index.

Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ), which tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 61.60 cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) will pay a dividend of 42.44 cents per unit.

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP), which tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees, will pay 45.61 cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE), which tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 132.88 cents per unit.

Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH), which tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees, will pay 55.39 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay 85.44 cents per unit.

Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLC) will pay a dividend of 63.34 cents per unit.

The post Vanguard will pay ASX ETF dividends today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In reality, many landlords discover that property investing comes with far more stress — and physical cost — than expected. Maintenance issues never arrive at convenient times. Tenants move out. Interest rates rise. Insurance premiums climb. And a large chunk of "rental income" quietly disappears into repairs, rates, and ongoing upkeep.

The good news is that Australian investors don't need to own a physical property to benefit from property investing. The ASX offers simpler, more diversified ways to gain exposure to real estate — without fixing taps, chasing rent, or answering late-night calls.

How property investing works on the ASX

Investing in property through the share market allows investors to gain exposure to real estate assets without owning or managing them directly.

Two common options are property-focused exchange traded funds (ETFs) and listed real estate investment trusts (REITs).

These vehicles typically own diversified portfolios of commercial property such as shopping centres, office buildings, industrial warehouses, healthcare facilities, and logistics hubs. Income is generated through rent paid by tenants, which is then distributed to investors.

Importantly, the day-to-day management, maintenance, and capital expenditure are handled by professional managers — not individual investors.

Property ETFs: diversification made easy

Property ETFs provide broad exposure to the real estate sector in a single investment.

For example, the Vanguard Australian Property Securities ETF (ASX: VAP), tracks a basket of Australian listed property companies and REITs. This gives investors exposure to dozens of property assets across multiple sectors, rather than relying on the fortunes of one residential property.

The appeal is simplicity. Investors can buy or sell units on the ASX, reinvest income automatically, and scale their exposure over time — all without dealing with tenants or maintenance.

Listed REITs: owning slices of quality property

Investors can also choose individual listed property companies.

One example is Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which owns and develops industrial and logistics property globally. Its assets include data centres, warehouses and distribution centres that support e-commerce and global supply chains.

Another is Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW). It stands out for broad exposure across the property market rather than relying on a single sector. Its portfolio spans everything from government-leased assets and data centres to service stations, hotels and pubs, grocery distribution hubs, food manufacturing sites, waste and recycling facilities, telecommunications exchanges, and large-format retail properties such as Bunnings.

These investments generate income from long-term leases and are required to distribute a large portion of their earnings to investors, making them popular with income-focused portfolios. The added level of diversification helps REITs smooth income streams and reduces reliance on any one tenant type or property segment.

The Foolish takeaway

Property investing does not have to involve physical ownership, leverage, or hands-on management.

ASX-listed property investments allow Australians to benefit from rental income and long-term property trends, while avoiding many of the hidden costs and stresses of being a landlord. They also offer greater diversification, liquidity, and flexibility than owning a single residential property.

The post Skip landlord stress with these ASX property shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ETF provider will pay investors next Monday, 19 January.

Let's take a look.

Next round of dividends for Vanguard ASX ETF investors

Here is a summary of the dividends that Vanguard will pay to investors holding some of its most popular products on 19 January.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees, will pay a dividend of 82.08 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. The ASX VHY will pay 65.83 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to about 1,500 businesses in developed nations outside Australia. This ETF will pay a dividend of 47.36 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO) will pay 129.60 AU cents per unit. The VSO tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index.

The Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ) provides exposure to about 1,300 companies listed in major European markets. It tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees. It will pay 61.60 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index before fees. It will pay a dividend of 42.44 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees. It will pay 45.61 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE), which tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 132.88 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees. It will pay 55.39 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay a dividend of 85.44 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLC), which tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Large Cap Index, will pay a dividend of 63.34 AU cents per unit.

The post Vanguard reveals next lot of dividends for VAS and other ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It's always fun to focus on the winners. However looking at traditionally strong sectors that underperformed this year can help reveal future opportunities. 

One way to target these sectors is by looking at ASX ETFs that track these indexes or themes. 

Here are three ASX ETFs that have historically performed well, however underperformed this year. Could they bounce back in 2026?

BetaShares S&P/ASX 200 Financials Sector ETF (ASX: QFN)

This ASX ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (before fees and expenses). 

The Index provides exposure to leading ASX-listed companies in a range of tech-related market segments such as information technology, consumer electronics, online retail and medical technology.

The fund has returned almost 14% per annum (after fees) since launching in 2020. 

Since its inception, it is up more than 80%. 

However in 2025 it is down 12.6%. 

It's no surprise this fund has struggled, as its largest exposure is to WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU), and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). 

However these technology companies have all been tipped to rebound next year, making this ASX ETF a tempting buy-low option. 

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)

This fund seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. 

This fund offers a diversified blend of Australian real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) with residential, office, retail, and industrial assets.

It is made up of 31 holdings, with its largest allocation being to Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) which makes up roughly 33% of the fund. 

In 2025 the fund has risen by a modest 2.2%. 

It has dropped almost 8% since late October. 

However since its inception in 2010, it has returned approximately 10% per annum.

BetaShares FTSE RAFI U.S. 1000 ETF (ASX: QUS)

This fund provides exposure to 500 leading listed US companies, with each holding in the index weighted equally. 

This ASX ETF rose just 1.9% in 2025 despite the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) rising almost 17% in the same span. 

It appears that this fund's equal weight method worked against it this year. 

However, according to Betashares, it has generated annualised returns of 13.29% over the past 5 years.

Therefore, it could be another candidate to rebound next year. 

The post Could these ASX ETFs be set for a rebound in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

SMSF investors have the most flexibility in where to put their money. Interestingly, it's ASX shares that have the biggest allocation, followed by direct property, cash and term deposits, managed funds and then unlisted trusts.

Let's take a look at which ASX shares are the most popular within SMSF portfolios.

The most widely held ASX shares

SMSF cloud accounting software provider Class recently released its 2025 annual benchmark report, giving insights into the SMSF landscape.

As of 30 June 2025, there were 12 ASX shares that featured in at least 20% of SMSF portfolios. They were as follows:

• BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) – 49%
• Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) – 41.8%
• Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) – 36.7%
• National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) – 36.2%
• ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) – 36.1%
• Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) – 35.7%
• Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) – 34.3%
• CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) – 33.2%
• Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) – 30.7%
• Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) – 29.4%
• Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) – 25%
• Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) – 21.2%

Perhaps it's no surprise that virtually all of these businesses are known for paying a pleasing dividend yield because of the appeal that may have for income investors.

Curiously, while it's BHP and Woodside that have the highest number of SMSFs invested in them, it's a different order for the most dollars invested in each stock.

Below is the biggest percentage of total SMSF ASX share investments, according to Class, with a weighting of at least 2%:

• CBA – 8%
• NAB – 4.1%
• Westpac – 4%
• BHP – 3.9%
• Wesfarmers – 3.3%
• Macquarie – 3.1%
• ANZ – 3%
• CSL – 3%
• Telstra – 2.2%

This goes to show that the big ASX bank shares still have significant backing by a smaller group of SMSF investors.

What about international shares and ASX ETFs?

Some SMSFs have invested in a range of assets, with international shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) becoming increasingly popular.

Of the funds that hold international shares, the five most widely held international shares were Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple and Nvidia.

Visa, Tesla and Berkshire Hathaway are the other international shares that are held by at least 9% of SMSFs that own international shares.

Of the SMSFs that are invested in ETFs, the following are the most widely held funds:

• Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS)
• VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)
• iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV)
• Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS)
• Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)
• Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)

By utilising a mixture of different types of investments, SMSFs can create an ASX share portfolio that provides strong returns and diversification for portfolios.

The post Here are the most popular ASX share superannuation investments in SMSFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If you want to top up your holdings before payday, you'd better hurry, as the ex-dividend date is next Wednesday, 1 October.

Investors will receive their dividends on 16 October.

How much will Vanguard ASX ETF investors receive?

Here is a sample of the dividend amounts investors in some of the most popular Vanguard ETFs will receive on 16 October.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees, will pay a dividend of 109.8836 cents per unit.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG), which aims to track the weighted average return of various indices, will pay a distribution of 36.6162 cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. The ASX VHY will pay 110.2292 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to about 1,500 businesses in developed nations outside Australia. This ETF will pay a dividend of 37.0856 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares Index ETF (ASX: VESG) will pay 27.9914 AU cents per unit. The VESG tracks the FTSE Developed ex Australia Choice Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. It will pay 28.7623 cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ) tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars. It will pay 12.9677 cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index. It will pay 59.9213 cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index before fees. It will pay a dividend of 21.5885 cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay a dividend of 19.6512 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE) tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars. It will pay 30.0260 AU cents per unit.

Bear in mind that these are estimated distribution amounts. Vanguard will advise us of the finalised figures in due course.

Interested in reinvesting your dividends?

A distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) is available for all of these Vanguard ETFs.

DRP elections must be made by 5pm on the record date, which is 2 October.

The post Own ASX VAS, VDHG or other Vanguard ETFs? Here's your next dividend appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

On Tuesday, we saw scores of internationally-focused ETFs reach either 52-week highs, multi-year highs, or all-time record prices.

Some of the most popular ETFs were among them, such as iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV), Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ), Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), Global X FANG+ ETF (ASX: FANG), and iShares Global 100 AUD ETF (ASX: IOO).

The ETFs soared due to ongoing strength in the US market, with the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) smashing another all-time high this week.

Over the years, Aussies have enthusiastically invested billions in ASX ETFs to gain easy, diversified exposure to international shares.

This trend continues today, with a record $5.28 billion invested in July alone.

Next week, scores of ETFs go ex-dividend, which means time is running out for investors who may want to top up their holdings.

To receive an ETF's next dividend, you must buy or already own the ETF before its ex-dividend date.

We provide a sample of ETFs going ex-dividend below.

If you want to buy any of these ETFs to score their next dividend (or 'distribution') payments, you'd better be quick!

24 ASX ETFs with ex-dividend dates next week

At this stage, most providers have only released estimated distribution amounts. They will release finalised figures in due course.

The post 24 ASX ETFs going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

However, the median house price in capital cities currently sits at more than $1 million dollars. 

That means you're looking at a deposit of $200,000 to buy a house in a major city. 

While not all investors have that kind of cash to splash, you can still gain exposure to this sector through thematic ASX ETFs. 

Here's three to consider which focus on real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)

This fund offers a diversified blend of Australian real estate investment trusts (A-REITs) with residential, office, retail, and industrial assets.

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns and operates property assets that typically produce income.

Some REITs focus on commercial real estate, such as offices, hospitals, shopping centres, warehouses, and hotels. Others specialise in residential property investment, such as aged care villages and apartment buildings.

This ETF seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT index. 

At the time of writing it is made up of 31 holdings, with its largest allocation being to Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), which represents 39.50% of the fund. 

The fund has risen 44.66% over the past 5 years. 

The fund has a management fee of 0.23% per annum, and its next dividend payment is 161.2115 cents per unit. 

VanEck Vectors Australian Property ETF (ASX: MVA)

MVA ETF gives investors exposure to a diversified portfolio of Australian REITs. The fund is made up of a minimum of 10 Australian REITs, with a maximum weighting of 10% for each REIT.

This ETF currently has 14 holdings in the fund. 

Each company has a weighing of between 2% and 10%.

The fund has risen 33.40% in the last 5 years. 

MVA ETF offers more diversified positioning within A‑REITs compared to VAP ETF, which is heavily concentrated in Goodman Group.

The fund has a management fee of 0.35% p.a. Its dividend yield is currently 4.37%. 

SPDR S&p/asx 200 Listed Property Fund (ASX: SLF)

SLF ETF seeks to closely track, before fees and expenses, the returns of the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index.

The ETF is managed by State Street Global Advisors. 

It is also heavily weighted (41.14%) towards Goodman Group. 

It currently has 20 companies making up the fund. 

Over the last 5 years, it has risen 36.61% 

The fund currently has a dividend yield of 3.15% and a management fee of 0.16% p.a.

The post Can't break into the housing market? Here's 3 REIT ASX ETFs to consider appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Well, today's a great day for you and other Vanguard ETF investors because it's dividend payday!

Vanguard will pay your distributions today. Here's how much you'll receive.

Own VAS or VGS ETFs? Here's how much you'll get today…

VAS is Australia's biggest ETF with $20.75 billion in funds under management (FUM), according to June data from the ASX.

VAS seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees.

The VAS ETF will pay a dividend of 65.1416 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is the second biggest ETF on the Australian share market.

The VGS ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars Index.

This ETF will pay a dividend of 128.4107 AU cents per unit.

Dividends for other Vanguard ETFs…

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts investors in these Vanguard ETFs will receive on Wednesday.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. The ASX VHY will pay 201.0911 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO) will pay 398.3168 AU cents per unit. The VSO tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index.

The Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ) tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees. It will pay 104.3118 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index before fees. It will pay a dividend of 53.6889 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees. It will pay 161.2115 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE), which tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 20.1612 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees. It will pay 41.7466 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay a dividend of 154.1283 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

What about the ASX VTS?

Investors in the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS) will receive their dividend on 28 July.

Vanguard will pay VTS ETF investors 91.32 US cents per unit.

Vanguard will convert the dividend into Australian currency on 22 July and advise investors of the final amount to be paid.

The post Why it's a great day for Vanguard ASX ETF investors! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors will receive their dividends on 16 July.

According to the timetable, the ex-dividend date is tomorrow, 1 July, and the record date is 2 July.

How much will Vanguard ASX ETF investors get?

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts investors in some of the most popular Vanguard ETFs will receive on 16 July.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees, will pay a dividend of 65.1416 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. The ASX VHY will pay 201.0911 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to about 1,500 businesses in developed nations outside Australia. This ETF will pay a dividend of 128.4107 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO) will pay 398.3168 AU cents per unit. The VSO tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index.

The Vanguard FTSE Europe Shares ETF (ASX: VEQ) provides exposure to about 1,300 companies listed in major European markets. It tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees. It will pay 104.3118 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index before fees. It will pay a dividend of 53.6889 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees. It will pay 161.2115 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE), which tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 20.1612 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees. It will pay 41.7466 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay a dividend of 154.1283 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

Want to reinvest your dividends?

A distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) is available for all of these Vanguard ETFs.

DRP elections must be made by 5pm on the record date, which is 2 July.

Recent research by Vanguard shows ETFs are more resilient during market turbulence than individual shares.

The post Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? Here's your next dividend and when it's coming appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

When interest rates rise, property prices are expected to decline. However, this relationship only factors in the demand side of the equation. House prices are also impacted by the supply of homes on the market. Over the past few years, the housing supply has significantly declined. A major cause has been a reduced level of turnover (i.e. longer home ownership). 

The proportion of housing stock currently being transacted is roughly equivalent to the height of the 1990s recession, when interest rates were through the roof and unemployment was highest since the Great Depression. According to news.com.au, housing turnover was 4.6% in 2024, significantly down from the 2001 peak of 9.1%

Other factors that have limited housing supply over the past few years include strong immigration following the reopening of borders after COVID-19 and the impact of short-term rentals.

Unfortunately for aspiring property buyers, Australia's major property markets have become severely unaffordable. According to the Australian Institute, the size of the average home loan over the past 5 years has increased by more than $198,000 in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. 

While media commentary has focused on Sydney being the most expensive city in the world, all states have been affected. For example, according to the Australian Institute, the average new home loan in South Australia has increased 56% over the past five years from $372,000 to $580,000. Meanwhile, the average full-time wage in South Australia has only increased by 18%.

The benefits of ASX ETF investing

With the housing shortage likely to continue, the outlook for owner-occupiers is likely to remain challenging. Fortunately, listed property, and in particular, ASX ETFs, provide several key advantages over direct real estate ownership. 

The secular decline in brokerage fees means that investors can regularly make small contributions to build up their property exposure. This is a huge advantage over direct ownership, given the typical requirement for a 20% deposit for a property purchase. 

ETFs also offer diversification within the property sector, including commercial property such as shopping malls, offices, warehousing, and healthcare clinics. By nature of being listed on the exchange, they offer liquidity. This allows investors to sell a portion of their investment at a very low cost compared to the fees charged by real estate agents.

Real estate ASX ETFs to consider

If you're interested in real estate exchange-traded funds (ETFs), there are several options available on the ASX.

The Vanguard Australian Properties Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) provides low-cost exposure to a mix of Australian real estate investment trusts (A-REITS). The VAP ETF contains 31 holdings from a range of property sectors, including residential, office, retail, and industrial. With a management expense ratio of just 0.23%, this ETF is an especially low-cost option. 

The VanEck Australian Property ETF (ASX: MVA) is another option to consider. For a management expense of 0.35%, the MVA ETF contains 17 holdings and seeks to track the MVIS Australia A-REIT Index. 

Finally, Australian investors looking for property exposure may wish to consider the VanEck FTSE International Property (Hedged) ETF (ASX: REIT). With 318 holdings, this ASX ETF is significantly more diversified than the VAP ETF and the MVA ETF. For a management expense of 0.20%, it invests in international property securities outside Australia with returns hedged into Australian dollars. This ETF is best suited for those looking to maximise diversification.

The post The advantages of ASX ETFs for real estate investing appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For those who invest in ASX shares, this may involve reflecting on the mix of large-capitalisation stocks compared to small-capitalisation stocks, or perhaps the number of companies in their portfolio that have a reliable track record of consistent dividends, revenue growth, or profit growth. It could even mean eliminating more speculative ASX shares that have yet to make a profit. 

While exchange-traded fund (ETF) investors don't have control over the individual stocks in the ASX ETFs they purchase, they can invest based on their overall style or geography. Therefore, the process is not all that different to the one that stock pickers go through. ASX ETF investors can choose one or more ETFs to match their risk profile and preferences. Here are some examples.

One stop shop ETFs

For stock pickers, many experts recommended holding between 20 and 25 stocks to optimise diversification. However, with many ETFs holding hundreds (or sometimes even thousands!) of companies, this is not always necessary. What matters more is the correlation between those holdings. While it may not be appropriate to own just one thematic ASX ETF (and nothing else), index funds are a different story. 

It could be a relatively conservative decision to make the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), which contains 300 Australian stocks, an investors' entire portfolio. 

However, if an investor wanted to decrease the risk profile of their portfolio, they might consider an ETF that contains a mix of equities and fixed income. For example, the Vanguard Diversified Conservative Index ETF (ASX: CDCO), which has 70% exposure to fixed income and 30% exposure to equities, could be a good choice. Fixed income investments typically attract conservative investors for their predictability and low volatility.

Combining multiple ASX ETFs

ASX ETF investors can also further tailor their risk profile by selective multiple ETFs and the respective weightings.  

For example, to reduce risk by maximising diversification across asset classes, investors could add a real-estate focused ETF such as the Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP). 

Another option is to diversify geographically. Investors may wish to allocate a portion of their investment to US-focused ETFs such as the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index AUD ETF (ASX: VTS), which invests in more than 3,000 US stocks. Those with a less favourable view on US stocks might prefer the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), which has 72% of the ETF invested in US stocks and the remainder across countries such as the UK, Canada, France, and Switzerland. 

Alternatively, a portion could be invested in ETFs focused on Asian markets such as the Betashares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA). Recently, global investors have taken a particular interest in Indian equity markets. This could make the Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND) a more appealing option for geographical diversification. According to Bloomberg, it is being viewed as a relative safe haven. While the US-China trade war appears to have somewhat de-escalated, there's no guarantee what will happen when the 90 day pause on reciprocal tariffs runs its course. 

The post How to build an ASX ETF portfolio to match your risk profile appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The latest BetaShares data shows there is now $255.3 billion invested in ETFs.

Overall ETF investment increased by 34.8% — or $66 billion — in the 12 months to 28 February.

For ETF owners, it's probably comforting to know that so many other Australians also see ETFs as a great way to invest.

And there's another reason to feel happy about your ETF investments today.

It's payday for Vanguard ETF investors…

Vanguard will pay the following distributions (or dividends) to ETF investors today.

The Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), which tracks the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO), will pay 72.8373 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS), which tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars Index, will pay 147.7026 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index. It will pay 244.9839 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) provides exposure to 16,000 local and international shares. The VDHG ETF will pay 93.7006 AU cents per unit to investors today.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLC), which tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Large Cap Index, will pay 107.1923 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE) tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars. It will pay 15.9942 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index. It will pay 83.3816 AU cents per unit to investors today.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index. It will pay 25.1104 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay 62.7420 AU cents per unit today. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index. It will pay 37.3359 AU cents per unit today.

Aussie investors were buying the dip in ETFs during last week's market sell-off. Here are the 7 most popular ETFs bought.

The post Here's why it's a great day to own Vanguard ASX ETFs appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors who own any of the 25 Australian Vanguard ETFs, including the largest on the market, the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), will receive their dividends on 16 April.

According to the schedule, the ex-dividend date is 1 April, and the record date is 2 April.

How much will ETF investors get?

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts that investors in some of the most popular ASX ETFs will receive on 16 April.

The ASX VAS, which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees, will pay 72.8373 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY), which tracks the FTSE Australia High Dividend Yield Index, will pay 244.9839 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) provides exposure to 16,000 ASX and international shares. The VDHG ETF will pay 93.7006 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to 1,500 listed companies from developed nations outside Australia. This ETF will pay 147.7026 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLC) tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Large Cap Index before fees. It will pay 107.1923 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest Index ETF (ASX: VAF) tracks the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Yr Index before fees. It will pay 25.1104 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP) tracks the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees. It will pay 83.3816 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE), which tracks the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees, will pay 15.9942 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees. It will pay 37.3359 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay 62.7420 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

A distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) is available for all 25 ETFs.

DRP elections must be made by 5pm on the record date, which is 2 April.

You can check out the half-year reports for each of these ETFs here.

The post Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? Here's how much you'll receive in dividends and when appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Investors who own any of the 23 Australian Vanguard ETFs, including the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS), will receive their dividend payments on 16 October.

According to the calendar, the ex-dividend date is 1 October, and the record date is 2 October.

Investors who own the US Vanguard ETF, the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index AUD ETF (ASX: VTS), will receive their dividend payment on 24 October.

According to the calendar, the ex-dividend date is tomorrow, 27 September. The record date is 30 September.

The dividend amount for the VTS ETF is 87.07 US cents. Vanguard says this will be converted into Australian currency on the foreign exchange date, which will be 21 October.

How much will investors in Australian Vanguard ETFs get?

Here is a summary of the dividend amounts that investors in some of the most popular ETFs will receive on 16 October.

The VAS ETF, which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) before fees, will pay 103.3194 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) is one of the best-performing Australian shares exchange-traded funds. It will pay 104.4812 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG) provides exposure to 16,000 ASX and international shares. The VDHG ETF will pay 36.9679 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Ethically Conscious Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VETH) tracks the FTSE Australia 300 Choice Index before fees. It will pay 61.2972 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) provides exposure to 1,500 listed companies from developed countries outside Australia. This ETF will pay 28.8055 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP), which seeks to track the performance of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees, will pay 41.8085 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI Australian Large Companies Index ETF (ASX: VLC) tracks the MSCI Australian Shares Large Cap Index before fees. It will pay 86.0026 AU cents per unit.

The Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM) will pay 24.1001 AU cents per unit. The VISM ETF seeks to track the performance of the MSCI World ex-Australia Small Cap Index (with net dividends reinvested) in Australian dollars before fees.

A distribution reinvestment plan (DRP) is available for all the Australian ETFs above.

DRP elections must be made by 5pm on the record date, which is 2 October.

The post Own these popular Vanguard ETFs? Here's the latest on your dividends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 7.83%, for total returns of 12.1% including dividends.

Meantime, the national median property value, which reflects all types of property in a single data point, rose by 8% with total returns of 12.2% after rental income is factored in, according to CoreLogic data.

But a combination of the two in the form of ASX property exchange-traded funds (ETFs) delivered far greater returns in FY24.

Shares vs. property: 2 ASX property ETFs outperform

There are three Australian property ETFs and three global property ETFs listed on the ASX.

The ASX recently published total returns data for all ASX shares, ASX ETFs, listed managed funds and listed investment companies (LICs) in FY24.

The two top-performing ASX property ETFs simply smashed it out of the park with above 20% gains.

SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Listed Property (ASX: SLF)

This ASX property ETF delivered total returns of 24.35% in FY24.

The SLF ETF tracks the returns of the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) before fees and expenses.

State Street says the ETF is a low-cost way of investing in ASX property shares. The management expense ratio (MER) was 0.4% in FY24 (reduced to 0.16% from 1 July 2024).

The SLF ETF exposes investors to all types of global property, including retail, office, industrial and diversified. Its biggest position today is Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) at 39.98%.

Goodman was the best-performing stock in its market sector in FY24, with an astounding 73.1% share price gain. This was largely due to the excitement surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), with Goodman leveraging its industrial property expertise to build, convert, and acquire more data centres worldwide.

The ETF's second-biggest position today is Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) shares, with an 11.66% holding. The Scentre share price rose by 17.74% in FY24 as the company benefitted from several retail sector tailwinds.

Goodman and Scentre shares make up about half the value of the SLF ETF.

Their share price gains of 73.1% and 17.74%, respectively, help explain why the SLF ETF delivered better total returns at 24.35% vs. physical residential property, which delivered 12.2% total returns.

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (ASX: VAP)

This ASX property ETF delivered total returns of 23.44% in FY24 — only slightly less than the SLF ETF.

The main difference between the two ASX ETFs is the VAP ETF tracks the return of the S&P/ASX 300 A-REIT Index before fees, costs and taxes. So, it incorporates the performance of 100 more ASX property shares and REITs than the SLF ETF. The MER is 0.23%.

Today, the VAP ETF's biggest holdings are the same as the SLF ETF, with Goodman shares representing 39.66% and Scentre shares 10.7%.

Here's how the other 4 ASX property ETFs did in FY24

• The VanEck Australian Property ETF (ASX: MVA) delivered 7.31% total returns
• The SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ESG ETF (ASX: DJRE) delivered 4.66% total returns
• The iShares Core FTSE Global Property Ex Au (AUDH) ETF (ASX: GLPR) delivered 4.12% total returns
• The VanEck FTSE International Property (Hedged) ETF (ASX: REIT) delivered 2.35% total returns.

Here's how home values across Australia changed in FY24

Here is a further breakdown of how home values changed across the city and regions in FY24.

A key factor in the performance variance is the strongest markets had tight supply and demand. The impact of this was so significant that it trumped the usual dampening effect of higher interest rates.

Foolish takeaway on shares vs. property

Choosing between shares vs. property is a classic investor's dilemma. If you have enough time on your side, many people would say you should simply buy both.

Could ASX property ETFs be another way of doing so? In a way, yes.

But it's worth noting that very few ASX property shares or REITs have direct exposure to the residential market. And you obviously can't live in them or add value to them through renovations.

So, if you want exposure to the residential market, you'll have to go 'old school' and buy a bricks-and-mortar investment.

The post Shares vs. property: These 2 ASX property ETFs delivered 20%-plus returns in FY24 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

It gives investors exposure to the commercial property sector by investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) within the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). The ASX ETF is approximately $3 billion in size and has 33 holdings.

There are a couple of reasons why this ASX ETF could be a good way to invest in property. Let's take a look.

Diversification

The VAP ETF is invested in several property sectors, including industrial, retail, office, self-storage, healthcare, hotels, farming, and more.

The larger the business, the greater its weighting in the Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF portfolio.

I'll point out that one REIT owns a portfolio of properties, which is much more diversified than a single residential property. This ASX ETF owns a portfolio of REITs, so there are a lot of underlying properties.

At 31 May 2024, these were the biggest 10 positions:

• Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) – 37.9%
• Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) – 10.7%
• Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) – 7%
• GPT Group (ASX: GPT) – 5.2%
• Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) – 5%  
• Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) – 4.9%
• Dexus (ASX: DXS) – 4.75%
• Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) – 3.75%
• National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) – 1.85%
• Region Re Ltd (ASX: RGN) – 1.6%

At the end of May 2024, it included three REIT sectors with large weightings: industrial REITs (39.5% of the portfolio), diversified REITs (24%), and retail REITs (23.9%).

Low costs

One of the main advantages of choosing a Vanguard ETF is that they usually have low management fee costs. Low expenses mean more of the returns stay in the hands of investors.

According to Vanguard, the VAP ETF has an annual management fee of 0.23%.

My 2 cents on this ASX ETF

I think it's an effective investment for people wanting exposure to the property market through REITs.

It hasn't exactly shot the lights out. Over the past ten years, the VAP ETF has returned an average of 9.3%, with 5.2% of that being a distribution return.

It is a decent option for passive income but may not produce much capital growth because of the relatively low rental growth of some of the underlying businesses. If investors prefer a particular sub-sector, they could just go for a specific REIT such as Goodman or Scentre.

The post Is this ASX ETF the best way to invest in Australian property? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

For readers who don't know, Vanguard is one of the world's largest fund managers, with several trillion (US) dollars under management. An ETF allows us to buy a basket of shares (or other assets) in a single investment.

The VAP ETF looks to invest in property businesses within the S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO). Let's look at some of the positives.

Diversification

There are many different types of commercial property including industrial, office, retail, healthcare and social, storage units, farmland and hotels.

Within the VAP ETF are a total of 33 different ASX shares, with each of these businesses owning a property portfolio.

Looking at the holdings, these are some of the biggest positions: Goodman Group (ASX: GMG), Scentre Group (ASX: SCG), Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP), GPT Group (ASX: GPT), Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR), Dexus (ASX: DXS), Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX), Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) and National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR).

Vanguard said around a third of the VAP ETF is allocated to industrial real estate investment trusts (REITs), just over a quarter is focused on 'diversified' REITs and retail REITs make up another quarter. The other types of REITs account for the rest of the portfolio.

Low management fees

One of the most attractive elements of investing in a Vanguard ETF is the low management fee, which helps reduce leakage of the portfolio's value. Some active managers can charge a lot more, putting a dent in the wealth-building efforts.

While it's not the cheapest Vanguard ETF around, the VAP ETF does have a low annual cost of 0.23%.

Good tailwinds

Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF is invested in a range of businesses that have appealing tailwinds.

Australia's population continues to grow, which means more potential customers at shopping centres, and it creates indirect demand for more logistics.

More people in the country require more housing, which is good for businesses like Mirvac and Stockland. There should also be more overall demand for storage units, farmland, healthcare, and so on.

Interest rates are currently high, which is painful for the cost of debt, and has caused a share price decline for a number of the names within the VAP ETF portfolio. However, if/when interest rate cuts do occur, that could prove to be a catalyst for share prices to go higher.

Foolish takeaway

The VAP ETF is a great way to invest in the Australian commercial property market if you want exposure to the whole sector, or if you're not sure which name(s) you want to own.

It has a decent record of producing returns – the total return over the past decade has been an average of 9.3%, with passive income making up a significant part of that return.

However, I'd suggest this isn't likely to be the sort of investment that achieves a high rate of compounding capital returns.

In my eyes, there are other ASX shares that could deliver stronger growth. Rental growth is normally fairly low, while some companies can be capable of quick national (or global) expansion.

The post Is the Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (VAP) a good investment? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.