Investors looking for a simple way to diversify their portfolios have plenty of Vanguard ETFs to choose from. But the popular Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) and Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) take very different approaches.

VGS offers global exposure and a tilt towards growth, while VHY focuses on high-yielding Australian shares.

So, which Vanguard ETF comes out on top?

VGS: Global growth in one ETF

This popular Vanguard ETF invests in around 1,300 companies across developed markets worldwide.

The US accounts for the bulk of the portfolio, with exposure to countries including Japan, the UK, Canada, France, Switzerland and Germany.

Its largest holdings include NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft. That gives investors exposure to some of the world’s biggest technology companies, alongside businesses across healthcare, consumer and industrial sectors. 

VGS charges a management fee of 0.18% per year. Over the past 12 months, it has delivered a return of around 7.4%. Over the past 10 years, the Vanguard ETF has returned approximately 184%.

VGS also recently paid a distribution of around 80 cents per unit.

VHY: The dividend-focused alternative

This popular Vanguard ETF takes a completely different approach.

Rather than looking overseas, VHY targets Australian companies with higher forecast dividend yields. Its major holdings include BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), alongside other major Australian companies. 

For income-focused investors, that’s the major attraction. The fund carries a forecast yield of around 4.2%, rising to approximately 5.5% once franking credits are included.

And VHY hasn’t exactly been left behind on performance. It delivered a 7.4% return over the past year and a return of 46% over the past decade. 

VHY charges a 0.25% management fee, slightly more than VGS. Its portfolio also has significant exposure to the Australian banking and resources sectors, meaning investors aren’t getting the same geographic or sector diversification offered by VGS.

Which Vanguard ETF wins?

There isn’t an obvious winner for every investor. VHY could be the better fit for investors who prioritise regular dividend income and want exposure to established Australian businesses. The potential benefit of franking credits is another attraction for eligible Australian investors.

VGS, meanwhile, offers something VHY simply can’t: global diversification and access to sectors such as technology that have a much smaller presence on the Australian share market. 

For an investor focused primarily on long-term capital growth and diversification, I’d give VGS the edge.

But for investors seeking income today, VHY has a compelling proposition.

Ultimately, the better Vanguard ETF depends on whether your priority is global growth or Australian dividend income.

The post VGS vs VHY: Which Vanguard ETF comes out on top? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, BHP Group, Microsoft, Nvidia, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) share price is in focus today after the company unveiled a major expansion plan for its Meekatharra processing hub, aiming to significantly boost gold production and improve future cashflow.

What did Westgold Resources report?

• Scoping Study for Meekatharra Expansion Plan (MXP) to lift processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa in FY28
• Expected to add approximately 47,000 ounces per year to gold production, increasing total gold output to 1.6 million ounces over 10 years (up 424,000 ounces)
• Indicative capital cost of $100 million with a targeted payback period of 9 months
• All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) range forecast between $1,968 – $2,406 per ounce for life-of-mine
• Group NPV uplift of about $1.1 billion at $5,500/oz gold price, up to $1.6 billion at spot ($6,000/oz)
• Westgold holds $939 million in cash, bullion and liquid investments as at 30 June 2026

What else do investors need to know?

The Meekatharra Expansion Plan is designed as a low-capital, brownfields upgrade, leveraging existing infrastructure and equipment that’s already on hand. By installing a parallel crushing and single-stage SAG milling circuit, Westgold aims to process more ore and unlock additional emerging supply, including increased outputs from the Bluebird–South Junction mine and several open pits in its Murchison Open Pit program.

Resource definition drilling and open pit optimisation work has already commenced to further support and de-risk the expansion. Third-party ore purchase agreements are also in place, providing additional flexibility, although these are not critical to the project’s economics.

What did Westgold Resources management say?

Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said:

The MXP is a capital-efficient brownfields expansion option to address this emerging constraint. It utilises existing infrastructure and long-lead equipment already procured to increase processing capacity from 1.8Mtpa to 2.9Mtpa, without the capital intensity, execution risk or timeframe of building a new plant.

What’s next for Westgold Resources?

Westgold will now move forward with feasibility-level studies, detailed engineering and execution planning for the Meekatharra expansion, aiming for a final investment decision in late FY27. Brownfields resource definition work will continue in parallel to secure additional future ore sources.

If delivered as planned, the MXP is expected to lift installed capacity in FY28, setting up improved production, lower processing costs and enhanced free cash generation for the group. Production timing and costs remain subject to feasibility outcomes and final approvals.

Westgold Resources share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Westgold Resources shares have risen 97%, significantly outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

View Original Announcement

The post Westgold Resources launches $100m Meekatharra expansion plan to boost output appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

It has been a rollercoaster ride for PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shareholders in 2026. 

The lithium-tantalum producer saw its share price open the year around $4.30 per share. 

After a strong run for lithium shares amidst renewed sector optimism, its share price hit over $6.70 per share. 

Investors’ happiness was short lived however, as it quickly plummeted back down to $4.00 per share in a matter of weeks. 

Since then, it has slowly climbed back into the positive, before PLS shares roared back to life yesterday following full year results. 

This volatility can make it difficult for investors to pinpoint true value. 

However the team at Bell Potter have provided updated guidance for what investors can expect over the next 12 months. 

What did PLS report?

As reported by The Motley Fool yesterday, the company reported FY26 revenue up 152% to $1.93 billion and a shift to a $526 million net profit.

Other results included: 

• Underlying EBITDA: $1,137 million (59% margin; up from $97 million in FY25)
• Net profit after tax: $526 million (from a $196 million loss in FY25)
• Production: 879.5k tonnes spodumene concentrate (up 17%)
• Final dividend: 5 cents per share, fully franked ($161 million distribution)
• Cash balance: $2,290 million (up 135%). 

Investors were seemingly pleased with these results as PLS shares rose by almost 8% yesterday. 

Its share price is now up more than 150% in the last 12 months. 

What is Bell Potter’s view?

The broker saw the FY26 result as broadly in line with expectations, with strong cash generation and a better-than-expected 5c fully franked dividend. 

However, PLS is now entering a large investment cycle, with FY27 capex expected to rise significantly as it progresses projects.

Bell Potter expects the P2000 project could receive investment approval in late 2026, but estimates its cost at around $2.2bn, well above the earlier $1.2bn estimate. 

While PLS has a strong balance sheet with $1.1bn net cash, Bell Potter believes the increased spending and PLS’s conservative approach to its balance sheet could limit shareholder returns in the medium term, despite only modest changes to its earnings forecasts.

Hold recommendation for PLS shares

Based on this guidance, the broker has a hold recommendation on PLS shares. 

The broker also has a price target of $5.20 on PLS shares, indicating a 5% downside from current levels. 

With the material step up in expenditure and the company’s track record for balance sheet conservatism, we believe shareholder returns could be constrained across the medium term.

The post What is this broker’s updated view on PLS shares after big results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.