VGK ETF — Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK)

Updated October 16, 2026.

VGK is a low-cost ETF that tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. its distribution rate is 1.02%, its trailing-12-month yield is 2.96%, its expense ratio is 0.06%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 75/100 (Generally safe). Total return is 270.1% over the past 21.6 years, 565.2 points behind SPY at 835.3%.

Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF is an index fund that tracks the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index, providing exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks of companies across European developed markets. The fund carries a very low expense ratio of 0.06% and distributes quarterly with a modest current distribution rate. The fund appeals to investors seeking broad-based European equity exposure with minimal costs.

VGK performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 270.1% over the past 21.6 years, 565.2 points behind SPY at 835.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 11.4%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 12.1%.

VGK key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

75 · Generally safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.77%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

03/04/2005

Expense ratio

0.06%

Distribution rate

1.02%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

2.96%

Last close

$87.29 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$29,169,667,747

Market cap

$24,415,150,080

Average volume

2078905.0

Dividend

$0.222

Ex-dividend date

09/18/2026

Payment date

09/22/2026

Beta

0.9

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.02%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (2.96%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VGK risks and drawbacks

VGK's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 12.1%.

Who may consider VGK — and who may not

VGK may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VGK pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on VGK

• VGK dividend calendar
• VGK dividend history
• All tickers starting with V

Tagged: Index, International.

Frequently asked questions

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