Investment
International Shares
Investing internationally can increase investment diversification and provide access to industries and companies not available in Australia. After all, Australia represents less than three per cent of the total world sharemarket.
International shares are considered high risk, high return investments and are suited to longer-term investors (seven years plus).
Benefits
- long-term growth potential
- low cost way to access a wide range of international markets and companies
- access industries and investment opportunities not available in Australia
- diversification across countries, industries and companies lowers portfolio risk
- increases diversification when added to growth component of asset allocation
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) at a Glance*
| Australian Shares | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASX Code | Benchmark | Local / International | ETF Fee (per annum) | Distribution Schedule | Lonsec Rating | Product Profile | |
| Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF | VAS | S&P/ ASX 300 Index | Local | 0.27% | Quarterly | Approved |
|
| International Shares | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASX Code | Benchmark | Local / International | ETF Fee (per annum) | Distribution Schedule | Lonsec Rating | Product Profile | |
| Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF | VTS | MSCI US Broad Market Index | International | 0.07% | Quarterly | Approved |
|
| Vanguard All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF | VEU | FTSE All-World ex-US Index | International | 0.25% | Annually (December) | Approved |
|
* Information correct as of Apr 15 2009.
