Vanguard Materials ETF

Frequently Asked Questions About VAW

What does VAW invest in?

This exchange-traded fund aims to mirror the financial performance of a reference index that gauges the returns of corporations operating in the basic materials industry. It operates with a passive management approach, primarily by fully replicating the index's portfolio; however, a sampling method may be used if necessitated by regulatory or practical limitations. The fund's investments include stocks of companies engaged in the extraction or initial processing of raw resources.

What is the expense ratio of VAW?

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) charges an expense ratio of 0.09%. This is the annual fee deducted from fund assets to cover management and operations.

How big is VAW?

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) manages $4.50B in total assets. AUM determines bid-ask liquidity and the fund's vulnerability to closure — funds below ~$50M are at higher risk of liquidation.

Is VAW actively managed or an index fund?

VAW's management style is described in the fund's prospectus. See the description on the Summary tab for the published strategy.

When was VAW launched?

Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) launched in January 2004 and is managed by Vanguard.

How has VAW performed?

VAW's total return — price change plus reinvested distributions — is charted at the top of this page. Switch the price chart to Total Return and pick a 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, or 10-year window to read the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over each horizon.