Key Highlights

  • Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX:VSO) aims to track a small capitalisation index of smaller companies on the Australian equity market.
  • The fund holds 193 companies, with BlueScope Steel Limited the largest position at 2.43%.
  • The fund has a management fee of 0.30% and a fund size of $1.13 billion.

As of 27 October, Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX:VSO) holds 193 smaller ASX-listed companies and manages $1.13 billion. It has traded since 26 May 2011 and charges 0.30%.

Key Fact

Detail

Fund

Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF

ASX code

VSO

Issuer

Vanguard

Category

Equity Australia Mid/Small Blend

Benchmark

MSCI Australia Small Cap GR LCL

ISIN

AU000000VSO2

Admitted to the ASX

26 May 2011

Fund size

$1.13 billion

Management fee

0.30%

Holdings

193 companies

Latest distribution

Final, $2.196 per unit (ex-date 1 Jul 2026; payment 16 Jul 2026)

The Small Cap Index

The MSCI Australian Shares Small Cap Index targets coverage of around 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalisation of the Australian share market. The fund sits in the Equity Australia Mid/Small Blend category, which defines mid/small-cap stocks as those in the bottom 30% of the market by capitalisation.

Holdings and Sectors

BlueScope Steel (2.43%), Orica (1.98%), ALS (1.93%), Ampol (1.92%) and Stockland (1.91%) lead, and the ten largest holdings make up just 18.88%. Basic materials is the largest sector at 29.00%, followed by industrials at 12.49% and real estate at 11.88%. By size, 78.81% of the portfolio is above $1 billion, 20.65% is between $500 million and $1 billion and 0.54% is below $500 million.

Additional Allocation Data

Country exposure is split across Australia (98.50%), the United Kingdom (0.97%) and the United States (0.54%).

Latest Payment Details

Under the latest distribution announcement, $2.196 per unit (final) is payable on 16 July 2026 to holders on the record date of 2 July 2026, following an ex-date of 1 July 2026.

Regulatory Notices

Notices lodged recently include an annual report on 15 September 2026, an estimated distribution announcement on 24 September, an updated estimated distribution on 1 October, final distributions on 2 October and an outstanding securities report for September 2026 on 7 October 2026.

Understanding the Category

Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF is classified as Equity Australia Mid/Small Blend. Funds in this category invest primarily in small- to mid-sized Australian companies, defined as stocks in the bottom 30% of the capitalisation of the Australian equities market. The blend style applies where neither growth- nor value-characterised stocks predominate.

Benchmark Background

The MSCI Australia Small Cap GR LCL index is the fund's benchmark. The fund has been listed since 26 May 2011, a period of about 15 years. Vanguard is the issuer, and the ISIN is AU000000VSO2. The fee is 0.30%.

Weight of the Largest Positions

The top five holdings add up to 10.17% of the portfolio, with BlueScope Steel Limited the largest at 2.43%.

Distribution Dates Explained

Distributions follow a set sequence. Units go ex-distribution first, the record date then fixes who is entitled, and payment follows on the payment date.

Closing Notes

VSO spreads exposure across 193 smaller Australian companies with no single dominant position. The latest distribution was a final payment of $2.196 per unit on 16 July 2026.