VGK: Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on European stocks: the whole region, the eurozone or single countries.
Data updated October 2026
VGK · US exchange · USDCategory: Europe ETFsData from June 2020
From June 2020 to October 2026 VGK returned 12.6% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $21,304.
Its deepest fall was 32.7%, from September 2021 to September 2022, and it took about 30 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 17.8%; at the last close it was 6.2% below its high.
Against SPY (SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust), over the 76 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.79: they usually moved together. Beta was 0.89. In months when SPY rose, VGK moved 88% as much on average; in months when SPY fell, 98% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +12.6%
- 1-year return
- +10.7%
- 5 years, a year
- +8.4%
- 10 years, a year
- —
- Annual volatility
- 17.8%
- Maximum drawdown
- −32.7%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.60
- Worst year
- 2022: −16.0%
Trailing returns
| Period | VGK | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +10.7% | +16.6% |
| 3 years, a year | +19.6% | +23.1% |
| 5 years, a year | +8.4% | +12.7% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: VGK vs SPY
Month-end values from July 2020, the first month both funds have data.
VGK drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | VGK | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | +6.5% | +13.3% |
| 2025 | +35.8% | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +1.9% | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +20.2% | +26.2% |
| 2022 | −16.0% | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +16.9% | +28.7% |
| 2020(partial) | +22.5% | — |
VGK compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of VGK?
From June 2020 to October 2026 VGK returned 12.6% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +8.4% a year. Over the last 12 months: +10.7%.
What was the worst drawdown of VGK?
32.7%, from September 2021 to September 2022; it took about 30 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is VGK?
Annual volatility was 17.8% over the period. Its worst month was −9.9% and 64% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2022 (−16.0%).
How closely does VGK follow SPY?
Over 76 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.79, so they usually moved together, with a beta of 0.89.
Use VGK in a free tool
Other Europe ETFs
- All Europe ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- MEUD — Amundi Stoxx Europe 600 UCITS ETF AccCAGR +7.8%
- EXSA — iShares STOXX Europe 600 UCITS ETF (DE)CAGR +6.0%
- VEUR — Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR +8.0%
- EZU — iShares MSCI Eurozone ETFCAGR +4.3%
- EXS1 — iShares Core DAX UCITS ETF (DE)CAGR +8.1%
- EWU — iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETFCAGR +6.4%
- EWQ — iShares MSCI France ETFCAGR +4.3%
- EWI — iShares MSCI Italy ETFCAGR +4.7%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.