Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO)

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) is an international stock exchange traded fund. This index ETF uses its assets to purchase stocks of companies located in emerging markets around the world, such as China, Brazil, Taiwan, and South Africa. This equity fund is tracking the return of the FTSE Emerging Index.

This equity fund has high potential for growth, but also high risk; share value may swing up and down more than that of stock funds that invest in developed countries, including the United States. This Vanguard fund is previously known as Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.

VWO Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 03/04/2005
• Ticker Symbol: VWO
• CUSIP: 922042858
• Rank in category (YTD): 20%
• Category: Diversified Emerging Markets
• Yield: 2.27%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.14%
• Total Assets: $ 54.19 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 26%

More: Best Performing Emerging Markets ETFs 2014

The fund manager is Michael Perre. It has a low expense fee of 0.15%. The current dividend yield is 2.84%. The share price is valued at $41.50. This popular ETF has big assets of $46 billion. You can buy this ETF through your brokerage such as Vanguard, TD Ameritrade, etc. The fund advisor is Vanguard Equity Investment Group.

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF Return

In 2014, the year-to-date return is 3.18%. This emerging markets fund has returned 4.22% over the past 1 year, 9.13% over the past 3 years, and 4.61% over the past 5 years. Morningstar has ranked this ETF with 3 stars rating. The fund returns for the past 4 years is as follows:

• Year 2017: 12.94% (YTD)
• Year 2016: 12.21%
• Year 2015: -15.81%
• Year 2014: -0.07%
• Year 2013: -4.92%
• Year 2012: 19.20%
• Year 2011: -18.75%
• Year 2010: 19.46%

If you are interested in investing in mutual fund, you can invest in these other classes. The other classes are admiral shares (VEMAX), and investor shares (VEIEX).

VWO Fund Holdings

This fund has 962 stocks in its portfolio. The top 5 stocks are Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Tencent Holdings Ltd., China Mobile Ltd., and Itau Unibanco Holding SA. Top 6 countries in its assets are China, Brazil, Taiwan, India, South Africa, and Mexico.

Investment Risks

The investment risks are stock market risk, country risk, emerging markets risk, currency risk, and other investment risks.

More: Best Vanguard Mutual Funds 2013

Pros:

• This Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF has a low expense fee.
• This index fund is a great choice as one of your core investment funds.

Cons:

• None