Here's how profitable owning the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF was in FY24

It was a great year for US stocks and plenty of Aussie ETF investors benefitted via the ASX VTS.

| More on:
Australian notes and coins symbolising dividends.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF (ASX: VTS) gives Aussie investors exposure to more than 3,700 United States stocks, including the Magnificent Seven and many small caps and micro caps.

And that was handy exposure in a year when US shares outperformed ASX shares by about 3:1.

The S&P 500 Index rose by 22.7%, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ Composite Index lifted 28.61% in FY24.

Here at home, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose by 7.83%.

So, how profitable was it to own the Vanguard US Total Market Shares Index ETF in FY24?

How profitable was ASX VTS for Aussie investors in FY24?

The ASX VTS exchange-traded fund (ETF) began FY24 at $329.34 per unit.

The ASX ETF reached a 52-week high of $408 per unit on the final trading day of FY24.

It closed out the financial year at $406.76 per unit. That's a 23.51% uplift.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.3Vanguard Us Total Market Shares Index ETF PriceZoom1M3M6MYTD1Y5Y10YALL1 Jul 202330 Jun 2024Zoom ▾Jul '23Sep '23Nov '23Jan '24Mar '24May '24Jul '23Jul '23Oct '23Oct '23Jan '24Jan '24Apr '24Apr '24www.fool.com.au

With ETFs, we need to take into account the fees we pay for their management. The ASX VTS has a management expense ratio (MER) of 0.03%, making it one of the 10 cheapest ASX ETFs on the market.

Back to our returns for FY24.

Let's say you put $10,000 into the ASX VTS on 1 July 2023 at a price of $329.34 per unit.

That would have given you 30 units in ASX VTS.

The 23.51% uplift in value means your holdings are now worth $12,322.60.

But wait, there's more!

What about dividends?

First of all, ETFs call dividends 'distributions', so let's get the language right first.

In FY24, the ASX VTS paid four distributions to Aussie investors:

  • On 24 July 2023, it paid $1.2077
  • On 20 October 2023, it paid $1.2609
  • On 24 January 2024, it paid $1.5212
  • On 24 April 2024, it paid $1.4079.

Altogether, ASX VTS owners received $5.3977 per unit in distributions during FY24.

If you held 30 units, then you received a total of $161.931.

If we add that to our capital earnings of $2,322.60, we get a total return of $2,484.53 for FY24.

In percentage terms, that's a return of just under 24.85% on your original $10,000 buy on 1 July 2023.

More about the ASX VTS

The ASX VTS seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index (NASDAQ: CRSPTM1) before fees.

And yes, before you ask, that index does include the Magnificent Seven stocks we are all obsessed with! They are Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Tesla shares.

Other appealing US stocks are also in the mix. They include Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and diabetes and obesity GLP-1 drug maker Eli Lilly And Co.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Vanguard Us Total Market Shares Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on ETFs

A smiling woman sits in a cafe reading a story on her phone about Rio Tinto and drinking a coffee with a laptop open in front of her.
ETFs

3 strong ASX ETFs for beginners to buy now

Starting your investment journey? Check out these funds.

Read more »

Smiling child playing video game
ETFs

Guess which ASX ETF is up 72% over the past 12 months?

This ASX ETF has been a home run lately.

Read more »

ETFs

Why Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF and these ASX ETFs could be strong buys

Let's see what makes these funds stand out.

Read more »

The letters ETF sit in orange on top of a chart with a magnifying glass held over the top of it
Dividend Investing

Boosting passive income: With a 7.6% yield, is the YMAX ETF a good option?

Is this ETF's yield too good to be true?

Read more »

A man wearing a red jacket and mountain hiking clothes stands at the top of a mountain peak and looks out over countless mountain ranges.
ETFs

How much could $10,000 in these ASX ETFs be worth in 5 years?

These two set and forget options could suit long term investors. 

Read more »

ETF spelt out with a piggybank.
ETFs

Want to buy ASX growth shares? Consider these ETFs instead

Growth ETFs can be easier to invest in than shares.

Read more »

A young female investor with brown curly hair and wearing a yellow top and glasses sits at her desk using her calculator to work out how much her ASX dividend shares will pay this year
ETFs

Buy these ASX ETFs for an income boost after the RBA's interest rate cuts

These funds offer income investors some good yields.

Read more »

Woman relaxing on her phone on her couch, symbolising passive income.
ETFs

How to own a portfolio of blue chip ASX stocks in a single trade

This ETF gives you the top Aussie stocks in one foul swoop with an added twist.

Read more »