VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF vs Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Overlap is estimated from the funds' listed top holdings, not their full constituent lists. Where there are no shared listed holdings it is shown as not reliably estimable.
HLTH (Thematic) and VGS (Global Broad Market) provide different exposures. HLTH tracks the Nasdaq Global Healthcare Index and VGS tracks the MSCI World ex-Australia (with net dividends reinvested) in AUD. VGS has the lower management fee (0.18% vs 0.57% p.a.). Holdings overlap is approximately 4% estimated (top 50 holdings).
VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF
VanEck
Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF
Vanguard
Comparison scores reflect how each ETF compares to the other on these specific dimensions only. They are not absolute ratings or recommendations.
Key differences at a glance
HLTH and VGS suit different goals rather than one being "better" than the other. The clearest differences:
Category scores compare these two ETFs only and are not absolute ratings.
VGS has the lower management fee - the one objective "cheaper" axis.
VGS is the larger fund. Larger is not inherently better, but greater scale can support tighter spreads and lower closure risk.
VGS spreads exposure across more holdings (HLTH 50, VGS 1,252); the other is more concentrated. Neither is inherently better - it depends on whether you want breadth or a focused tilt.
HLTH distributes approximately 0.6% and VGS approximately 1.6%; VGS carries the higher estimated distribution yield. A higher yield may suit an income focus; a lower one may suit a growth or tax-efficiency focus. Yields are estimates and are not guaranteed; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Green highlights the factually lower fee or higher scale/income figure. Performance is never highlighted. Data from issuer disclosures, reviewed quarterly.
Yield figures are estimates based on recent distributions and may vary. Past distributions are not a reliable indicator of future distributions.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns.
Top shared holdings ranked by overlap contribution, the smaller of each company's weight in the two funds. Basis: top 50 holdings.
Top 10 listed holdings for each fund, from issuer disclosures.
HLTH top holdings
VGS top holdings
Based on each fund's most recently published sector and geographic weightings; figures are approximate. Full breakdowns are shown below.
HLTH sectors
VGS sectors
HLTH geography
VGS geography
HLTH and VGS can each make sense depending on your objectives, horizon and existing portfolio. The key differences are near the top of this page, and the full side-by-side data is below.
HLTH and VGS have approximately 4% estimated holdings overlap (top 50 holdings). This is considered low overlap, estimated from listed top holdings rather than the full constituent lists.
VGS has the lower management fee. HLTH charges 0.57% per year ($57 per year on a $10,000 investment) and VGS charges 0.18% per year ($18 per year on a $10,000 investment). The difference is $39 per year per $10,000 invested.
HLTH (VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF) manages approximately $49.2M and VGS (Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF) manages approximately $17.2B. Fund size can affect liquidity and bid-ask spreads but does not by itself change the management fee.
You can hold both, but with approximately 4% estimated holdings overlap the two funds hold mostly different companies, so they can be more complementary. Whether that suits you depends on your own objectives.
There is no universally right choice. It depends on your goals, time horizon and existing holdings. HLTH charges 0.57% and VGS charges 0.18%, so VGS has the lower management fee, and they have approximately 4% estimated holdings overlap. Compare their fees, holdings and sectors above and consider each fund's Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination.
General information only. This comparison and the ETFLens tools on this page provide general information about two exchange-traded funds and do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not personal financial product or investment advice. ETFLens does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Holdings overlap is calculated from each fund's published holdings (full lists where the issuer publishes one, listed top holdings otherwise), and fee data is sourced from fund manager PDS documents and updated quarterly. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Consider each fund's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), and seek advice from a registered tax agent or licensed financial adviser, before making investment decisions.
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