ATLASVanguard Materials Index Fund ETF Shares (VAW): outlook, holdings and fees
Vanguard Materials Index Fund ETF Shares (VAW) is an exchange-traded fund and is managed by Vanguard. The expense ratio is 0.10% and the yield is 1.44%. The ten largest holdings are 57% of the fund.
Fund data as of Oct 14, 2026 · Price Nov 2, 2026
ATLAS view on VAW
| Last price | $228.65 (-0.3%) |
|---|---|
| ATLAS chance of a higher price in 1 month | 55% |
| Likely 1-month range (50%) | $224.02 – $235.69 |
| Normal 1-day range (±1σ) | ±0.9% |
| Distribution yield | 1.44% |
ATLAS probabilities use the same calibrated model as every stock page. A fair value is shown for companies, not funds; the holdings below link to the fair value of each company.
VAW fund facts
| Issuer | Vanguard |
|---|---|
| Theme | Materials & mining |
| Assets under management | $3.0B |
| Expense ratio | 0.10% |
| Number of holdings | 49 |
| Portfolio turnover | 5% |
| Inception | Jan 26, 2004 |
| Exchange | NYSE |
The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the index, an index made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the materials sector, as classified under the GICS. The Advisor attempts to replicate the target index by seeking to invest all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, in order to hold each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index. The fund is non-diversified.
VAW top holdings
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Linde plc Ordinary Shares LIN | Basic Materials | 14.01% |
| Newmont Goldcorp Corp NEM | Basic Materials | 8.89% |
| Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc FCX | Basic Materials | 7.10% |
| Sherwin-Williams Co SHW | Basic Materials | 5.07% |
| Ecolab Inc ECL | Basic Materials | 4.77% |
| Air Products and Chemicals Inc APD | Basic Materials | 3.98% |
| CRH PLC CRH | Basic Materials | 3.95% |
| Corteva Inc CTVA | Basic Materials | 3.73% |
| Nucor Corp NUE | Basic Materials | 3.42% |
| Vulcan Materials Company VMC | Basic Materials | 2.25% |
Holdings with an ATLAS page link to their probability range, fair value and earnings calendar.
VAW sector breakdown
| Sector | Weight |
|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 89.2% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.6% |
| Industrials | 0.6% |
| Healthcare | 0.6% |
By region: North America 95.6%, Europe Developed 3.0%, United Kingdom 1.4%.
VAW returns and risk
| Year to date | +7.6% |
|---|---|
| 1 year | +11.2% |
| 3 years (annualised) | +11.0% |
| 5 years (annualised) | +6.3% |
| 10 years (annualised) | +9.6% |
| Volatility (3 years) | 16.5% |
| Sharpe ratio (3 years) | 0.36 |
Past returns do not guarantee future results.
VAW: frequently asked questions
What does VAW invest in?
Vanguard Materials Index Fund ETF Shares invests in a portfolio of securities. Its largest holdings are Linde plc Ordinary Shares (14.0%), Newmont Goldcorp Corp (8.9%), Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc (7.1%), Sherwin-Williams Co (5.1%), Ecolab Inc (4.8%).
What is the VAW expense ratio?
0.10% a year: about $10.00 for every $10,000 invested.
What is the VAW dividend yield?
1.44%. ATLAS does not hold the exact distribution dates for ETFs.
Will VAW go up?
Nobody can know. The ATLAS model puts the chance of a higher price in one month at 55%, with a likely range (50%) of $224.02 to $235.69 from $228.65 today. It is a probability, not a prediction.
How has VAW performed?
Year to date +7.6%, one year +11.2%, three years +11.0% a year, five years +6.3% a year. Past returns do not guarantee future results.
Similar ETFs: Materials & mining
- State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB)
- SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME)
- abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (GLTR)
- iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK)
- VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX)
- iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM)
- Fidelity MSCI Materials Index ETF (FMAT)
- Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM)
Educational information, not investment advice. Disclaimer