At a glance
VIGI charges 0.07% a year, below the 0.17% average of the 6 funds most like it (the 3rd cheapest of 7). It has $9.44B in assets, the 5th largest of that group; it paid 2.12% of its price in distributions over the past 12 months, quarterly. Over the past year it returned +10.6% with distributions reinvested (S&P 500: +11.5%), the weakest of those 7 funds; over three years it returned +15.2% a year. At its worst it fell 30.3% in the 2020 crash (S&P 500: 33.7%) and 27.2% in the 2022 bear market (S&P 500: 24.5%), and was back at its earlier high 5 months and 17 months after the lows. Its ten largest positions make up 35.3% of the fund, out of 341 in all.
The short version
Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIGI) is an index fund that held 341 stocks of companies outside the US as of July 31, 2026. These companies are in developed and emerging markets and have a record of raising their dividends. Its 0.07% expense ratio is well below the 0.17% average of similar funds. The trade-off is a modest 2.12% yield and returns that trailed every comparable fund over the one and three years to October 27, 2026.
Price history
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VIGI +10.6% over the year to Oct 27, 2026, total return with distributions reinvested.
How it has behaved
| YTD | 1 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr | Since start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIGI official prospectus, to Dec 31, 2025 | — | +16.89% | — | +5.46% | — | +8.86% |
| VIGI price data to Oct 27, 2026 | +9.5% | +10.6% | +15.2% | +5.2% | +8.7% | +8.8% |
- Over the year to Oct 27, 2026, VIGI returned +10.6%, 7th of 7 among similar funds.
- Its 5-year annualized return was +5.2% and its 10-year +8.7%.
- In the 2020 COVID crash it fell 30.3% and regained its old high 5.1 months after the low.
- Its worst full calendar year was 2022 (-16.8%); its best was 2019 (+28.4%).
- The deepest fall in its price history was 31% (Jan 17, 2020 to Mar 23, 2020), recovered by Sep 2, 2020.
Show as a table
| Year | Price data | Prospectus (official) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | +9.5% | — |
| 2025 | +16.9% | +16.89% |
| 2024 | +2.7% | +2.62% |
| 2023 | +16.3% | +16.16% |
| 2022 | -16.8% | -16.71% |
| 2021 | +12.6% | +12.42% |
| 2020 | +14.7% | +15.11% |
| 2019 | +28.4% | +27.04% |
| 2018 | -11.5% | -11.32% |
| 2017 | +28.0% | — |
| 2008 financial crisis stocks fell Oct 9, 2007 – Mar 9, 2009 | Before this security existed |
|---|---|
| 2020 COVID crash stocks fell Feb 19, 2020 – Mar 23, 2020 | Lost 30.3% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 30.3%, back to its old high 5.1 months after the low |
| 2022 bear market stocks fell Jan 3, 2022 – Oct 12, 2022 | Lost 27% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 27.2%, back to its old high 17.3 months after the low |
Dividends and income
Show as a table
| Year | Per share | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | $1.5600 | |
| 2025 | $1.9500 | +26.6% |
| 2024 | $1.5400 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $1.5200 | +6.3% |
| 2022 | $1.4300 | -76.2% |
| 2021 | $6.0000 | +471.4% |
| 2020 | $1.0500 | -41.3% |
| 2019 | $1.7900 | +57.0% |
| 2018 | $1.1400 | -1.7% |
| 2017 | $1.1600 |
Living on VIGI: its income record, cuts, and how much a $1,000 monthly income takes →
What's inside
As of Jul 31, 2026, the fund held 341 securities; the ten largest made up 35.3% of assets.
| Holding | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Bank of Canada | 4.78% | |
| Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 4.59% | |
| Nestle SA | 3.66% | |
| Novartis AG | 3.48% | |
| Toronto-Dominion Bank | 3.47% | |
| Roche Holding AG | 3.45% | |
| SAP SE | 3.24% | |
| Schneider Electric SE | 3.16% | |
| Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc | 2.85% | |
| Novo Nordisk A/S | 2.61% | |
| Hitachi Ltd | 2.57% | |
| Iberdrola SA | 2.57% | |
| Sony Group Corp | 2.49% | |
| Mitsubishi Corp | 1.92% | |
| Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce | 1.89% |
By country
Japan 30.89%Canada 23.03%Switzerland 14.03%Germany 5.45%United Kingdom 5.45%By asset type
Stocks 99.14%Preferred stock 0.09%What changed recently
- Over the three months to Jul 31, 2026, investors withdrew a net $147.8M (creations minus redemptions, per the N-PORT report).
- Monthly total returns reported for that quarter: +1.99%, -0.41%, +3.92%.
How it works
VIGI tracks the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index. The index picks common stocks of high-quality companies outside the United States, in both developed and emerging markets, that have the ability and the commitment to grow their dividends over time. It leaves out real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are companies that own property and pay out most of their income.
Vanguard aims to hold all, or nearly all, of the index's stocks in roughly the same weights as the index. At least 80% of net assets must sit in index stocks. As of July 31, 2026, the fund held 341 stocks, and the 10 largest made up 35.3% of assets. Japan (30.9%), Canada (23.0%) and Switzerland (14.0%) were the biggest countries. Portfolio turnover, a measure of how much the fund trades in a year, was a low 14%.
Some mechanics are worth knowing. If an index rebalance or market moves leave a few stocks with large weights, the fund may become "nondiversified" under federal fund rules. It could also become concentrated in one industry if the index does. The fund holds a small amount of cash and derivatives, such as currency forwards and MSCI EAFE futures, totaling well under 1% of assets. VIGI is the ETF share class of Vanguard International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund and trades on Nasdaq at market prices.
What it really costs
- VIGI charges 0.07% a year, versus an average of 0.17% for the similar funds below (3rd of 7, cheapest first).
- Of that, 0.06% is the management fee; the rest covers other fund expenses.
- Using the prospectus's standard example, $10,000 invested would cost about $7 in the first year and $90 over 10 years (assuming a 5% annual return).
| Cost of $10,000 (SEC example) | 1 yr | 3 yrs | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIGI | $7 | $23 | $40 | $90 |
In a retirement portfolio
It adds dividend-growing companies from Japan, Canada, Europe and other non-US markets to a portfolio that may otherwise lean on US stocks.
VIGI spreads money across 341 non-US companies, from banks such as Royal Bank of Canada and Mitsubishi UFJ to Nestle, Novartis and Roche. Its record is short. It launched in February 2016, so it missed 2008. In the 2020 COVID crash it fell 30.3% but recovered within about five months. The 2022 slide was slower to heal: a 27.2% drop that took about 17 months to recover, plus a 16.71% calendar-year loss, its worst. Anyone drawing income in a year like that may have to sell shares at low prices. As of October 27, 2026, the trailing yield was 2.12%, paid quarterly. Under the SEC's standard example, the 0.07% expense ratio costs about $7 in the first year on $10,000. Past results don't predict the future, and a plan should weigh the whole portfolio, not one fund.
Who it may suit — and who should look elsewhere
May suit
- Investors wanting non-US stocks with a dividend-growth tilt for 0.07% a year, well under the 0.17% average of similar funds.
- Those comfortable with a portfolio led by Japan, Canada and Switzerland, with big banks, drugmakers and Nestle among the largest holdings.
- Long-term holders who can live with a 2.12% yield paid quarterly and drops like the 27.2% fall in 2022.
Look elsewhere if
- Income seekers needing a higher payout: the trailing yield was 2.12% as of October 27, 2026, and dividends arrive only quarterly.
- Investors focused on recent returns: VIGI ranked last of seven comparable funds over the one and three years to October 27, 2026.
- Those wanting broad international exposure: Japan (31%) and Canada (23%) weigh heavily, and broad funds like IDEV share only 17% of holdings.
Close alternatives
Matched by closest holdings overlap from the latest N-PORT reports (no similar fund shares 20% or more of its holdings).
| Fund | Overlap | Cost | Net assets | 1 yr | 3 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIGI this fund | — | 0.07% | $9.44B | +10.6% | +15.2% |
| IGRO iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | 47% | 0.15% | $1.24B | +16.7% | +20.6% |
| EFA iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 18% | 0.32% | $77.98B | +13.5% | +18.2% |
| IDEV iShares Core MSCI International Developed M… | 17% | 0.04% | $31.64B | +14.6% | +19.2% |
| SCHF Schwab International Equity ETF | 17% | 0.06% | $69.68B | +17.7% | +20.4% |
| HDEF Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equ… | 16% | 0.09% | $2.35B | +17.8% | +21.0% |
| EFV iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF | 16% | 0.33% | $29.11B | +21.9% | +23.3% |
Questions investors ask
What does VIGI invest in?
VIGI invests in stocks of companies outside the US that have the ability and commitment to grow their dividends. It tracks the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which covers developed and emerging markets and excludes REITs. As of July 31, 2026, it held 341 stocks. The largest were Royal Bank of Canada (4.8%), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (4.6%), Nestle (3.7%), Novartis (3.5%), Toronto-Dominion Bank (3.5%) and Roche (3.5%).
What's the difference between VIGI and IGRO?
Both funds focus on international dividend growers, but VIGI is cheaper and IGRO has returned more. VIGI's expense ratio is 0.07%, compared with 0.15% for the iShares International Dividend Growth ETF. About 47% of their holdings overlap. Over the year to October 27, 2026, IGRO returned 16.7% and VIGI 10.6%. Over three years, IGRO returned 20.6% a year and VIGI 15.2%. VIGI is the larger fund.
How often does VIGI pay dividends?
VIGI pays dividends quarterly. Over the 12 months to October 27, 2026, it paid about $2.09 per share, for a trailing yield of 2.12%. The fund targets companies that grow their dividends rather than those with the highest yields. Its income may therefore be lower than funds built around high-yield stocks, and the payments can vary from quarter to quarter.
What is VIGI's expense ratio?
VIGI's expense ratio is 0.07%, according to the prospectus filed February 27, 2026. That includes a 0.06% management fee. The average for similar funds is 0.17%. In the SEC's standard example, which assumes $10,000 invested with a 5% annual return, total costs would be about $7 after one year, $23 after three years, $40 after five years and $90 after ten years.
How has VIGI performed over the long term?
VIGI returned 5.46% a year over the five years to December 31, 2025, and 8.86% a year since its 2016 launch, according to its prospectus. Based on price data through October 27, 2026, it returned 5.2% a year over five years and 8.7% a year over ten. Its worst calendar year was 2022, at -16.71%, and its weakest quarter was the first quarter of 2020, at -18.83%.