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VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF

Category: Asia Pacific Equities

Inception: 2005-03-04 Issuer: Vanguard
Net Assets
$9.8B
Expense Ratio
0.07 %
# of Holdings
2
Average Daily Volume
742.6K

Fund Overview

The Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) is designed to provide investors with exposure to a broad range of stocks in developed markets across the Pacific region, excluding Japan. The fund tracks the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan Index, which includes large- and mid-cap stocks from countries such as Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand. VPL offers a low-cost way to gain diversified exposure to these markets, which are known for their dynamic economies and growth potential. The ETF is passively managed, aiming to replicate the performance of its benchmark index before fees and expenses. With a focus on developed markets, VPL provides investors with a way to diversify their international equity holdings while mitigating some of the risks associated with emerging markets.
Asset Class
Equity
Industry
N/A
Annual Dividend Rate
Smart Beta
No
Leveraged / Inverse
N/A / No
Dividend Quality - Yield
 - N/A
Currency Hedged
No
Portfolio Turnover
5 %
Dividend Date

Why Invest in the VPL ETF?

Potential Benefits

  • Diversified exposure to developed Pacific markets, reducing single-country risk.
  • Low expense ratio compared to actively managed funds in the same region.
  • Passive management strategy aims to closely track the benchmark index.
  • Provides access to high-growth economies outside of Japan.
  • Liquidity and transparency typical of Vanguard ETFs.

Potential Risks

  • Exposure to currency fluctuations in the Pacific region.
  • Concentration risk in certain countries like Australia and South Korea.
  • Market volatility due to geopolitical tensions in the region.
  • Lower liquidity in some underlying holdings compared to U.S. markets.
  • Potential underperformance during U.S. dollar strength.

Performance

1 Week 1 Month 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years YTD 2025 2024 Since Inception
+0.59% +2.48% +37.17% +95.44% +72.61% +28.66% +32.70% +2.58% +314.78%

Performance


Monthly Returns (%)

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2026 +9.3% +10.2% -10.3% +9.8% +8.2% -0.4% -5.8% +5.9% +0.3% +2.0% - -
2025 +2.3% +0.6% -0.3% +4.2% +4.6% +4.3% -0.3% +5.0% +2.8% +4.3% -0.9% +2.2%
2024 -0.9% +3.7% +3.1% -4.8% +2.6% +0.2% +3.3% +1.6% +1.4% -5.4% +1.7% -4.1%
2023 +8.3% -5.6% +3.3% +0.6% -1.2% +4.1% +3.6% -4.1% -3.1% -3.1% +7.0% +5.7%
2022 -4.9% 0.0% -0.1% -6.9% +1.2% -8.2% +5.3% -4.1% -10.3% +2.5% +13.2% -1.9%
2021 -0.4% +1.8% +1.4% +0.4% +1.6% -0.6% -1.0% +0.8% -0.9% -0.2% -4.5% +3.0%
2020 -3.6% -7.4% -11.2% +6.3% +6.1% +2.7% +0.5% +6.2% +0.6% -1.1% +12.0% +6.8%
2019 +7.4% +0.9% +0.5% +1.2% -5.0% +5.2% -1.4% -2.6% +4.5% +3.2% +1.1% +2.5%
2018 +4.7% -4.0% -0.3% +0.3% -1.1% -2.6% +0.8% -0.9% +2.1% -9.9% +2.4% -6.1%
2017 +4.9% +2.1% +1.8% +0.8% +2.2% +1.7% +2.8% +0.2% +1.1% +4.3% +2.2% +1.6%
< -5% -5% to -2% -2% to 0% 0% 0% to +2% +2% to +5% > +5%

Top Holdings (by weight)

Symbol Company Name Weight
No holdings data available.

Related ETFs: VPL vs Peers

ETF Full Name Expense Ratio Net Assets Holdings Asset Class
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF 0.50 % $734.6M 56 Equity
ASHR Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF 0.65 % $2.6B 285 Equity
EPP iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF 0.48 % $1.8B 98 Equity
EWA iShares MSCI-Australia ETF 0.50 % $1.4B 49 Equity
EWH iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF 0.50 % $592.1M 28 Equity
EWS iShares MSCI Singapore ETF 0.50 % $803.4M 18 Equity
EWY iShares MSCI South Korea ETF 0.59 % $2.9B 84 Equity
FXI iShares China Large-Cap ETF 0.74 % $7.5B 51 Equity
GMF SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF 0.49 % $352.9M 1 Equity
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF 0.07 % $111.7B 4 Equity
Comparison highlights key differences on cost, coverage, and focus within sector ETFs.

Investment Strategy

The Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) tracks the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan Index, which includes large- and mid-cap stocks from developed markets in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan. The index is market-cap weighted, meaning larger companies have a greater influence on the fund's performance. VPL is passively managed, aiming to replicate the index's holdings and performance with minimal tracking error. The fund primarily holds common stocks and rebalances periodically to align with the index's composition. This approach ensures low turnover and cost efficiency, making it an attractive option for long-term investors seeking exposure to Pacific markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What countries does VPL invest in?

VPL invests in developed markets across the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan. This includes Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand.

How does VPL differ from VWO?

VPL focuses on developed markets in the Asia-Pacific region, while VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) targets emerging markets globally, including countries like China, India, and Brazil.

What is VPL's expense ratio?

VPL has a low expense ratio of 0.08%, making it one of the most cost-effective options for investing in developed Pacific markets.

Does VPL pay dividends?

Yes, VPL pays dividends quarterly, derived from the dividends of its underlying holdings in the Pacific region.

Is VPL a good long-term investment?

VPL can be a good long-term investment for those seeking diversified exposure to developed Pacific markets, though investors should consider regional risks and currency fluctuations.

Industry Overview

The Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) provides exposure to the developed markets of the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan. This region includes economically advanced countries like Australia, South Korea, and Singapore, which offer stable regulatory environments and mature financial markets. Investing in Pacific markets can provide diversification benefits and exposure to economies with strong growth potential, driven by sectors like technology, finance, and natural resources. However, these markets can also be influenced by regional geopolitical dynamics and currency fluctuations. VPL offers a cost-effective way to access these markets through a single, diversified investment vehicle.

Alternative Comparison

Compared to its peers, VPL stands out for its low expense ratio and broad diversification across developed Pacific markets. For example, the iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) also targets the region but includes a slightly different mix of countries and has a marginally higher expense ratio. Another alternative, the SPDR S&P Emerging Asia Pacific ETF (GMF), focuses more on emerging markets, which carry higher risk but potentially higher returns. VPL's focus on developed markets offers a more stable investment profile, making it suitable for investors seeking growth with lower volatility.

Issuer Overview

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies, known for its low-cost index funds and ETFs. With a strong reputation for investor-friendly practices and a focus on long-term, passive investment strategies, Vanguard has become a trusted name in the ETF space. The company's ETFs are designed to provide broad market exposure at minimal cost, making them popular among both individual and institutional investors.

Conclusion

The Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) is a solid choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolios with exposure to developed markets in the Asia-Pacific region, excluding Japan. With its low cost, passive management strategy, and broad market coverage, VPL provides an efficient way to tap into the growth potential of these economies. While the fund carries risks such as currency fluctuations and regional volatility, its diversified approach helps mitigate some of these concerns. For those seeking international equity exposure beyond traditional U.S. and European markets, VPL offers a compelling option.

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