^AXAF vs. VTI

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

^AXAF (S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index) is an index, while VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, ^AXAF returned 5.00%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for VTI. Their 0.05 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.

Performance

^AXAF vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a A$10,000 investment in S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index (^AXAF) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

^AXAF is traded in AUD, while VTI is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VTI values have been converted to AUD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^AXAF achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 4.98% return. Over the past 10 years, ^AXAF has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 5.00%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.55% annualized return.

^AXAF

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.58%
• 6M: 4.50%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 6.60%
• 5Y*: 4.35%
• 10Y*: 5.00%
• ALL TIME*: 1.98%

VTI

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: -1.61%
• 6M: 7.85%
• YTD: 4.98%
• 1Y: 12.25%
• 3Y*: 16.61%
• 5Y*: 12.75%
• 10Y*: 15.55%
• ALL TIME*: 11.92%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
^AXAF S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index	A$21.59B	A$20.02B	A$22.18B
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	A$1.52B	A$1.66B	A$1.75B

^AXAF vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^AXAF S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index	6.03%	3.37%	7.32%	9.08%	-2.79%	12.67%	-4.45%	19.01%	-5.61%	4.42%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	4.98%	8.60%	36.27%	26.14%	-14.21%	33.05%	10.44%	31.28%	4.93%	11.98%

Correlation

The correlation between ^AXAF and VTI is -0.04, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.04
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.02
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2007	0.05

Return for Risk

^AXAF vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

^AXAF

^AXAF Risk / Return Rank: 12
^AXAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
^AXAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
^AXAF Omega Ratio Rank: 10
^AXAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
^AXAF Martin Ratio Rank: 14

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

^AXAF vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index (^AXAF) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	^AXAF	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.26	0.93	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	1.33	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.17	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.39	0.87	-0.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.78	2.48	-1.69

^AXAF vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^AXAF Sharpe Ratio is 0.26, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 0.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^AXAF and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

^AXAF vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^AXAF drawdown since its inception was -51.77%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -37.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^AXAF and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	^AXAF	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.77%	-37.99%	-13.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.21%	-11.12%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.96%	-18.25%	+4.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.52%	-22.91%	+8.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.42%	-26.00%	-9.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-2.19%	+1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.28%	-8.68%	-7.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.06%	3.90%	+0.16%

Volatility

^AXAF vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

S&P/ASX All Australian 50 Index (^AXAF) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 2.32% and 2.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^AXAF	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	2.38%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.61%	7.55%	+2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.00%	10.41%	+1.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.58%	14.94%	-2.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.76%	16.40%	-1.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^AXAF and VTI in my portfolio?

^AXAF and VTI have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^AXAF or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to ^AXAF (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^AXAF dropped -51.77% vs VTI's -37.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs 0.26), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.