ETF Evaluator:
Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF ()
Follow This ETF
(as of Aug 26)
Best Performing in Foreign Large Growth Over the Last Year
| 47.5% | Renaissance International IPO ETF (IPOS) |
| 42.2% | Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF (UMMA) |
| 40.5% | Invesco S&P International Dev Qual ETF (IDHQ) |
| 34.0% | SP Funds S&P World ETF (SPWO) |
| 33.1% | Capital Group International Focus Eq ETF (CGXU) |
Risk
Index
Risk
Index
ETF Details
Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF Overview
Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF (VDG) is a passively managed International Equity Foreign Large Growth exchange-traded fund (ETF). Vanguard launched the ETF in 2026.
The investment seeks to track the performance of a benchmark S&P Developed Ex-U.S. LargeMidCap Growth Index that measures the investment return of large- and mid-cap growth stocks issued by companies located in developed market countries, excluding the United States.
Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in stocks that make up the Target Index.
About Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF (VDG)
There are 3 members of the management team with an average tenure of 0.30 years: Christine Franquin (2026), Jeffrey Miller (2026) and Nicole Brubaker (2026). Management tenure is more important for actively managed ETFs than passive index ETFs.
The ETF has 1 primary benchmark: S&P Devlp Ex US LargeMid Growth TR USD index with a weighting of 100%. Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has securities in its portfolio. The top 10 holdings constitute 0.0% of the ETF’s assets. The ETF meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a diversified fund. The ETF is not considered to have an ESG focus with its investment selection and management.
Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF is part of the Equity global asset class and is within the International Equity ETF group. Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has 0.0% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues. The overall assets allocated to domestic stock is 0.0% There is 0.0% allocated to foreign stock, and 0.0% is allocated to preferred stocks. The bond allocation as a percentage of total assets is 0.0% (0.0% domestic bond, 0.0% foreign bond and 0.0% convertible bond). Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has 0.0% of the portfolio in cash.
Assets Under Management
The fund has $31 million in total assets, which is below the $1 billion average for the Foreign Large Growth category. Normally, lower assets under management translates to higher average expense ratios, and greater total assets are desired. However, for some investment categories, such as small-cap investing, it may be difficult for the manager to fully employ the desired active strategy if assets grow too large or too quickly.
VDG Performance and Fees
The expense ratio measures how much of a fund’s assets are used for administrative expenses and operating expenses, including adviser fees and fees for the transfer agent and custodial services. The Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF expense ratio is low compared to funds in the Foreign Large Growth category. Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has an expense ratio of 0.08%, which is 86% lower than its category average, making the fund expense ratio grade a A. While it is difficult to predict returns, it is known that high annual expense ratios reduce your rate of return, and excessive fees are difficult to overcome. Active management normally comes with higher expense ratios than passive index management. Certain investment categories such as small company and foreign also normally have higher expense ratios. It is best to compare fund expense ratios against the category averages for meaningful assessments.
High portfolio turnover can translate to higher expenses and lower aftertax returns. Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has a portfolio turnover rate of 0%, which indicates that it holds its assets around /years. By way of comparison, the average portfolio turnover is 58% for the Foreign Large Growth category.
Recently, in the month of July 2026, Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF returned -2.7%, which earned it a grade of D, as the Foreign Large Growth category had an average return of -2.8%. The letter grades of A, B, C, D and F are based upon relative rankings within the investment category. A grade of A, for example, would indicate that the return is in the highest 20% for that time period compared to all ETFs in that category.
Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF has a trailing yield of 0.00%, which is below the 1.31% category average.
The fund normally distributes its income quarterly and its capital gains annually.
It’s natural to seek the best-performing investments, but you must consider the relationship between risk and return and the impact of costs and taxes on your realized returns.
For more ETF grades, analysis and screening tools to help your investment discovery, join AAII for a $2, full-access trial. Learn more here: https://invest.aaii.com/membership.
Otherwise, for more information about Vanguard Developed Mkts ex US Gr Idx ETF, including its riskiness, submit your email to unlock the rest of the article.
Gain access to exclusive AAII member-only content.
VDG Trailing NAV Total Returns Data as of 7/31/26
| Last Month |
Last Quarter |
Ann'l. 1Yr |
Ann'l. 3Yr |
Ann'l. 5Yr |
Ann'l. 10Yr |
|
| VDG Return (NAV) | -2.7% | 5.3% | na | na | na | na |
| VDG Return (Price) | -3.0% | 4.7% | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Return | 0.321% | 0.596% | na | na | na | na |
| Foreign Large Growth Avg | -2.8% | 3.0% | 16.7% | 12.4% | 3.9% | 8.5% |
| VDG Grade (NAV) | D | B | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category (NAV) | 0.2% | 2.3% | na | na | na | na |
| VDG Tax-Cost Ratio | na | na | na | na | na | na |
VDG Annual NAV Total ReturnsData as of 7/31/26
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
| VDG Return (NAV) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| VDG Return (Price) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| NAV +/- Price Ret | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Foreign Large Growth Avg | 8.3% | 21.7% | 5.0% | 15.2% | -23.7% | 7.9% | 30.4% | 31.3% | -15.6% | 31.7% | -1.2% |
| VDG Grade (NAV) | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| +/- Category | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na | na |
| Risk Measures | |
| Beta: | na |
| R-Squared: | na |
| Standard Deviation: | na |
| Category Risk Index: | na |
| Category Risk Rating: | |
| Total Risk Index: | na |
| Total Risk Rating: | |
| Portfolio Characteristics | |
| Yield: | -- |
| Total Assets: | $ 32 Mil |
| Share Class Assets: | $ 32 Mil |
| Turnover: | na |
| Expense Ratio: | 0.08% |
| Index Fund: | Yes |
| Index Tracked: | S&P Devlp Ex US LargeMid Growth TR USD |
| Index Weighting: | 100% |
| Leveraged: | No |
| Socially Responsible Fund: | No |
| Capital Gains Distribution Frequency: | Annually |
| Income Distribution Frequency: | Quarterly |
Management Team
| Number of Managers: 3 | |||
| Longest Tenure: 0.3 years | |||
| Average Tenure: 0.3 years | |||
| Managers (Year): Franquin Christine (2026), Miller Jeffrey (2026), Brubaker Nicole (2026) | |||
Portfolio Composition (as of )
| # of Holdings: | |
| % in Top 10 Holdings: | 0.0% |
| Fund is Non-Diversified: | No |
| % in Foreign Issues: | 0.0% |
Portfolio Allocation |
|
| Domestic Stock: | 0.0% |
| Foreign Stock: | 0.0% |
| Preferred Stock: | 0.0% |
| Domestic Bond: | 0.0% |
| Foreign Bond: | 0.0% |
| Convertible Bond: | 0.0% |
| Other: | 0.0% |
| Cash: | 0.0% |
Purchase Information
| Legal Structure: | Open Ended Investment Company |
| Fund Family: | Vanguard |
| Phone Number: | 866-499-8473 |
| Website: | www.vanguard.com |
| Inception Date: | April 14, 2026 |
Expenses and Fees
| Expense Ratio (%): | 0.08% (Rating: Low) |
| Category Average Expense Ratio (%): | 0.59% |