Vanguard expands ETF product suite

In a statement, Vanguard said the MSCI Index International Shares ETF and the MSCI Index International Shares (hedged) ETF would offer exposure to 1,500 securities across 22 developed share markets, excluding Australia.

Head of product and marketing Robyn Laidlaw said while Australians were frequently reluctant to invest overseas, these new products provided easy access to offshore diversification.

“Australians are among the world’s most enthusiastic overseas travellers, however, when it comes to investing, our home country bias often comes at the expense of the valuable diversification of international investments,” the statement read.

“These new ETFs offer a simple way to tap into the diversification that international sharemarkets offer, through broad exposure to the world’s developed equity markets, while also giving investors the tools to manage their currency risk.

“VGS and VGAD provide straightforward low cost* access to international markets, whether hedged or unhedged, while keeping control of your reporting and investment management onshore.”

Vanguard also said the new funds were part of their low-cost product range.

“With expense ratios of 0.18 per cent per annum (VGS) and 0.21 per cent per annum for the currency hedged version (VGAD), these funds are among the lowest-cost, locally managed international equity product offerings in the market,” the statement said.