Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares
VEA InternationalUpdated: Jul 5, 2026, 21:17 UTC
Key Metrics
Top 10 Holdings
| Holding | Ticker | Weight | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 005930.KS | 3.01% | |
| SK Hynix Inc | 000660.KS | 2.57% | |
| ASML Holding NV | ASML.AS | 1.91% | |
| HSBC Holdings PLC | HSBA.L | 0.98% | |
| Roche Holding AG Ordinary Shares new | ROP.SW | 0.9% | |
| Novartis AG Registered Shares | NOVN.SW | 0.88% | |
| AstraZeneca PLC | AZN.L | 0.85% | |
| Royal Bank of Canada | RY | 0.82% | |
| Nestle SA | NESN.SW | 0.8% | |
| Shell PLC | SHEL.L | 0.73% |
Sector Allocation
About This ETF
The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares (VEA) is a International ETF with an expense ratio (TER) of 0.03% and $317.3B in assets under management., with its largest holdings being Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, SK Hynix Inc, ASML Holding NV. The ETF currently yields 2.61% in dividends. Year-to-date, VEA has returned +12.82%. With an expense ratio of just 0.03%, it is one of the cheapest ETFs in its category.
The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index, a market-capitalization-weighted index that is made up of approximately 3,957 common stocks of large-, mid-, and small-cap companies located in Canada and the major markets of Europe and the Pacific region. The Advisor attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index.
FAQ — VEA
What is the TER of VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF Shares)?
VEA has a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.03 % per year. That sits below the international category median (0.32 % across 13 peer ETFs). The TER is deducted directly from the fund and lowers your effective return.
What return has VEA delivered?
Performance for VEA: YTD: +12.82 % · 3-year p.a.: +18.90 % · 5-year p.a.: +9.78 %. Over 5 years, VEA outperforms the international category median of +8.50 % by +1.28 pp. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
What are the top holdings of VEA?
The five largest positions in VEA are: 005930.KS, 000660.KS, ASML.AS, HSBA.L, ROP.SW. The full holdings list is updated daily on this page.
Does VEA pay dividends?
VEA has a current dividend yield of 2.61 %. Distributing ETFs pay this out in cash; accumulating versions reinvest it inside the fund. Check the share class on your broker before buying.
Where can I buy or set up a savings plan for VEA?
VEA is available at most major brokers. For a free monthly savings plan from €1, look at Trade Republic, Scalable Capital or Flatex. The broker comparison on this site shows fees, free-savings-plan ETFs and execution exchanges side by side.
What is the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA)?
The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index, bundling roughly 3,957 stocks across Canada, Europe and the Pacific region. With an ultra-low expense ratio of 0.03% and $304.3B in assets, it delivers cheap, broad access to developed economies outside the United States. For investors whose portfolios lean heavily toward US stocks, VEA fills a key geographic gap, spreading exposure across multiple economies, sectors and currencies in a single, liquid wrapper.
Performance at a glance
VEA shows a solid record: up 13.58% year to date, 20.1% over three years and 9.86% over five years. The fund recently traded at $71.66, near its 52-week high of $71.88 and well above the $54.63 low. Gains have been driven by the heavy weighting in financial services (23.27%) and industrials (19.18%), plus recovering momentum in European and Asian markets. The 2.73% dividend yield typically exceeds that of US-centric indices. Currency movements among the US dollar, euro, yen and pound add a meaningful layer to total returns, helping or hurting depending on the period.
Risk profile
As an equity fund, VEA is subject to market swings. Three risks stand out:
- Currency risk: The ETF is priced in US dollars but holds securities in euro, yen, pound and franc. Euro-area investors face a double layer of FX exposure that can dampen or amplify returns.
- Geographic concentration: Europe and the Pacific dominate; political or economic weakness there feeds through directly.
- Sector tilt: Financials and industrials together exceed 42%, making the fund sensitive to interest-rate and economic cycles.
Importantly, VEA excludes emerging markets, which limits overall diversification.
Who is VEA for?
VEA suits long-term investors with a horizon of at least seven to ten years who want to internationalise a US-heavy portfolio. If you value broad diversification across developed markets outside the US, plus a respectable 2.73% dividend yield, it offers a low-cost building block.
It is less suitable for investors seeking emerging-market exposure, which is entirely absent here. Likewise, anyone with a short time frame, low tolerance for volatility, or a preference for a complete world-ex-US index including emerging markets should consider alternatives. Think of VEA as a complement to, not a replacement for, a fully global allocation.
How VEA compares
In the international equity space, VEA competes with several heavyweights:
- VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock): adds emerging markets for broader world-ex-US coverage.
- IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE): a very similar developed-ex-US profile, though it omits Canada and uses a different index provider.
- VWO or IEMG: pure emerging-market funds that complement rather than replace VEA.
At 0.03%, VEA ranks among the cheapest in its class. Investors wanting emerging-market exposure can pair VEA with VWO or simply choose VXUS for an all-in-one international holding.
Where can I buy VEA?
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