The Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWCE) tracks the FTSE All-World Index, which represents the performance of the large and mid-cap stocks (3,727 in total) in both developed and emerging markets.
VWCE average return
As of this writing, the VWCE average annual return, in the last 5 years, has been +10.94%.
Before July 2019, the VWCE ETF did not exist, so the only way to get older data, is to use the FTSE All-World Index, the underlying index of the VWCE. However, this does not include the ETF fee (TER), nor the tracking error, so the result would be only an estimate (shown below). Plus, the FTSE All-World ETF is tracked in USD, while the VWCE is quoted in Euros.
In this table, you will find the return of VWCE, as of July 31st, 2024:
| Period | Cumulative return | Annualised return |
| YTD | +15.27% | – |
| 1 year | +15.05% | +15.05% |
| 3 years | +20.26% | +6.34% |
| 5 years | +68.05% | +10.94% |
Source: lseg.com/en/ftse-russell; finance.yahoo.com
Returns per calendar year:
| Year | Return |
| 2024 YTD | +15.27% |
| 2023 | +17.78% |
| 2022 | -13.01% |
| 2021 | +28.20% |
| 2020 | +6.18% |
| 2019* | +28.70% |
| 2018* | -5.50% |
| 2017* | +8.70% |
| 2016* | +11.30% |
| 2015* | +8.90% |
| 2014* | +18.10% |
| 2013* | +17.10% |
| 2012* | +14% |
| 2011* | -4.90% |
| 2010* | +21.20% |
| 2009* | +30.60% |
| 2008* | -38.90% |
| 2007* | +0.30% |
| 2006* | +8.90% |
| 2005* | +28.30% |
Source: lseg.com/en/ftse-russell; vanguard.com
*These returns come from FTSE All-World, the underlying index of the VWCE. Keep in mind that the VWCE did not exist prior to July 2019. FTSE All-World returns do not include TER, and were calculated in EUR.
What does this mean?
Using the 10-year period as an example:
If a European invested €1,000 in the VWCE on July 31st, 2019, he/she should expect a final value of €1,726.10 on July 31st, 2024.
Calculation methodology
We got data from FTSE Russell, vanguard.com and finance.yahoo.com. Each link is a direct source.
For years prior to July 2009, we have used the benchmark (FTSE All-World Index) returns as a baseline. Taking into account that the VWCE has an expense ratio of 0.22%, you could deduct that fee from the returns of the years where there was no ETF tracking the FTSE All-World.
Bottom line
In this article, we have explored the VWCE returns in different periods. If you want to check the latest VWCE factsheet, please follow this link.
Did you find any inaccurate information? Please do let us know!
Franklin has three years of experience in Wealth Management as a Fund Research Analyst, has passed the CFA level II, and is the host of the "Edge Over Hedge" YouTube channel.
