VFFSX vs. VSTSX
VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, VFFSX returned 13.60%/yr vs 12.39%/yr for VSTSX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.01% expense ratio.
Performance
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VFFSX achieves a 9.79% return, which is significantly lower than VSTSX's 10.35% return.
VFFSX
- 1D
- -0.36%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 9.79%
- 6M
- 8.79%
- 1Y
- 25.51%
- 3Y*
- 21.39%
- 5Y*
- 13.60%
- 10Y*
- —
VSTSX
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 0.56%
- YTD
- 10.35%
- 6M
- 9.21%
- 1Y
- 25.97%
- 3Y*
- 21.21%
- 5Y*
- 12.39%
- 10Y*
- —
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 9.79% | 17.87% | 25.00% | 26.28% | -18.14% | 29.24% | 18.35% | 31.88% | -4.42% | 20.80% |
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 10.35% | 17.16% | 23.27% | 26.54% | -19.49% | 25.75% | 21.02% | 30.81% | -5.15% | 20.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between VFFSX and VSTSX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.00 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VFFSX and VSTSX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VFFSX vs. VSTSX — Risk / Return Rank
VFFSX
VSTSX
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX). 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.
| VFFSX | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.02 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.38 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.02 | 3.06 | -0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.62 | 13.70 | -0.08 |
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Drawdowns
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VFFSX drawdown since its inception was -33.82%, roughly equal to the maximum VSTSX drawdown of -34.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFFSX and VSTSX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VFFSX | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -33.82% | -34.97% | +1.15% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.90% | -8.92% | +0.02% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.75% | -19.36% | +0.61% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.51% | -25.35% | +0.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.72% | -1.47% | -0.25% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.49% | -4.88% | +0.39% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.97% | 1.99% | -0.02% |
Volatility
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) have volatilities of 4.67% and 4.77%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VFFSX | VSTSX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.67% | 4.77% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.84% | 10.05% | -0.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.50% | 12.83% | -0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.99% | 17.45% | -0.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.42% | 18.76% | -0.34% |
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VFFSX and VSTSX have an expense ratio of 0.01%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VFFSX vs. VSTSX - Dividend Comparison
VFFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, which matches VSTSX's 1.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 1.05% | 1.14% | 1.24% | 1.46% | 1.70% | 1.61% | 1.56% | 2.15% | 2.09% | 1.81% |
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares | 1.04% | 1.13% | 1.27% | 1.43% | 1.67% | 1.23% | 1.44% | 1.79% | 2.07% | 1.74% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 1.00, VFFSX and VSTSX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VSTSX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to VFFSX (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFFSX dropped -33.82% vs VSTSX's -34.97%.
VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.13), 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.
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