Industry Distribution (estimated 2025):

• Information Technology: approx. 22%
• Healthcare: approx. 14%
• Finance: approx. 13%

Top 3 Markets and their Percentage Shares (estimated 2025):

• USA: approx. 60%
• Japan: approx. 8%
• United Kingdom: approx. 5%

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) invests globally and mirrors the performance of the MSCI World ex-Australia Index. The majority of revenues come from Information Technology, followed by Healthcare and Finance, reflecting the strong presence of technology and pharmaceutical companies in the index.

The USA dominates the market share, attributed to the high number of large multinational companies included in the index. Japan and the United Kingdom follow with significantly lower shares, highlighting the global diversification of the ETF.

Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and not a company that produces physical products.

Vanguard is an investment management company that offers financial products such as ETFs and mutual funds. The VGS ETF invests in international stock markets and tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia Index. Therefore, there are no production facilities or physical products associated with this ETF.

Vanguard's focus is on providing investors with access to diversified international stock markets, rather than on the production of physical goods.

Current Strategy: Diversification and Cost Minimization

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) follows a passive investment strategy aiming to replicate the performance of the MSCI World ex-Australia Index. This strategy focuses on diversification across a variety of international markets and sectors to spread risk and achieve stable returns.

Vanguard emphasizes cost efficiency as one of the main drivers for future growth. By minimizing management fees, the ETF provides investors with a cost-effective way to invest in a broadly diversified international stock portfolio.

In addition, Vanguard plans to diversify its product offering and address changing investor needs by introducing new ETFs and expanding existing funds. This may also involve incorporating ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, and Governance) to meet the growing demand for sustainable investments.

Commodities/Materials: No specific commodities or materials

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) is an exchange-traded fund that invests in international stocks. As such, the ETF does not import any commodities or materials itself. Instead, it invests in a variety of companies operating in different sectors, including those that import or use commodities.

The companies in the ETF portfolio may source commodities from various countries, depending on their industry and specific business model. The ETF provides investors with access to a diversified portfolio of international stocks without physically importing goods itself.

Competitive Advantage: Strong through Diversification and Low Costs

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) provides investors with access to a broadly diversified portfolio of international stocks. This diversification is a key competitive advantage as it minimizes risk for investors while also offering the opportunity to benefit from global market opportunities.

Another significant advantage is the cost-efficient structure of the ETF. Vanguard is known for its low management fees, making the ETF attractive compared to other investment options. These low costs help maximize returns for investors.

Additionally, the ETF benefits from Vanguard's strong brand reputation and established market position in the index fund industry. This enhances investor confidence and promotes continuous capital inflow into the ETF.

Institutional Investor Share: approximately 70% (estimate for 2025 based on historical trends)

Insider Buys/Sells: No significant insider transactions reported

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) is a popular ETF that is heavily demanded by institutional investors. The share of institutional investors typically stands at around 70%, as such funds are often held by pension funds, insurance companies, and other large financial institutions.

Insider transactions are less relevant for ETFs, as it is a fund that tracks an index, not a single company. Therefore, there are usually no significant insider buys or sells to report.

Market share of Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS): Estimate 5% (2025)

Top competitors and market shares:

1. iShares Core MSCI World All Cap ETF (IWLD): Estimate 6%
2. SPDR S&P World ex-Australia ETF (WXOZ): Estimate 4%
3. BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF (ETHI): Estimate 3%
4. VanEck Vectors MSCI International Quality ETF (QUAL): Estimate 3%
5. iShares Global 100 ETF (IOO): Estimate 2.5%

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) has a significant moat due to its broad diversification and low costs. These factors make it attractive to long-term investors seeking global exposure. The ETF provides access to a variety of international markets, diversifying risk and potentially enabling higher returns.

Compared to competitors, VGS has an advantage through its strong brand and Vanguard's reputation as one of the largest and most trusted asset managers globally. This can be seen as a significant moat, strengthening investor confidence and leading to stable capital inflows.

However, some competitors, such as the iShares Core MSCI World All Cap ETF, also offer broad diversification and could develop their own moat through specific strategies or niche markets. Ultimately, the perceived advantage depends on investors' individual preferences, especially regarding cost structure, sustainability, and specific market segments.

Assets under Management (AUM): 5.2 billion AUD (2025 estimate)

Annual Expense Ratio: 0.18%

Diversification: Over 1,500 international stocks

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) provides investors with access to a broadly diversified portfolio of international stocks spanning across various sectors and regions. With an estimated AUM of 5.2 billion AUD, the ETF demonstrates a strong market presence and liquidity.

The annual expense ratio of 0.18% is relatively low, making the ETF a cost-effective option for long-term investors. These low costs help maximize returns for investors by minimizing fee drag.

With broad diversification across more than 1,500 stocks, the ETF offers risk mitigation by spreading the risk of individual company or sector losses. This makes it an attractive choice for investors seeking global market exposure without having to focus on specific companies or markets.

Overall, the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) is a solid investment for investors looking for diversified international stock exposure with low costs. Long-term investors could benefit from its stable structure and broad market coverage.

Dividend yield: 1.8% (2025, estimated)
Payout frequency: Semi-annually

The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX:VGS) regularly pays dividends, typically on a semi-annual basis. The current dividend yield is approximately 1.8%, which is moderate compared to other international stock ETFs.

The reliability of the payout can be considered high, as Vanguard is known worldwide as one of the largest and most established providers of ETFs. Vanguard's dividend policy aims to provide investors with a stable and continuous payout that is aligned with the returns of the underlying international stock markets.