VEA vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.67%/yr vs 15.01%/yr for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

VEA vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 16.08% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's 9.65% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has underperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 10.67%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.01% annualized return.

VEA

• 1D: 1.17%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 16.08%
• 6M: 17.35%
• 1Y: 32.96%
• 3Y*: 19.14%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: 10.67%

VTSAX

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 9.65%
• 6M: 9.97%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: 20.61%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

VEA vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	16.08%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.65%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and VTSAX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.83

The correlation between VEA and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. VTSAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	VTSAX
Financial Services	23.3%	11.9%
Industrials	19.2%	9.5%
Technology	13.8%	33.3%
Healthcare	8.2%	9.1%
Basic Materials	7.5%	2.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	9.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	4.7%
Energy	5.4%	3.8%
Communication Services	3.4%	10.1%
Utilities	3.3%	2.7%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VEA vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 67
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VEA vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX). 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.

	VEA	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.00	1.96	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	2.67	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.35	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.79	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.96	12.56	-1.60

VEA vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 2.00, which is comparable to the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and VTSAX, 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

VEA vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than VTSAX's maximum drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-55.33%	-5.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-8.92%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-19.36%	+5.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-25.36%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-34.97%	-0.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.07%	+2.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.27%	-9.00%	-4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	1.98%	+1.03%

Volatility

VEA vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.92% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 4.59%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.92%	4.59%	+2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.42%	9.92%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	12.71%	+3.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	17.43%	-0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.41%	18.44%	-1.03%

VEA vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VTSAX's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEA vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.59%, more than VTSAX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.59%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.02%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and VTSAX in my portfolio?

VEA and VTSAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or VTSAX?

VEA has higher volatility (6.92%) compared to VTSAX (4.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.96), 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.