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VFWAX vs. VTIAX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VFWAX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VFWAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Vanguard - VFWAX tracks the FTSE All-World ex US Index while VTIAX tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VFWAX returned 10.66%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for VTIAX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VFWAX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VFWAX having a 16.36% return and VTIAX slightly lower at 15.81%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFWAX having a 10.66% annualized return and VTIAX not far behind at 10.47%.

VFWAX

1D
0.21%
1M
3.65%
YTD
16.36%
6M
16.26%
1Y
34.18%
3Y*
20.31%
5Y*
9.42%
10Y*
10.66%

VTIAX

1D
0.17%
1M
3.27%
YTD
15.81%
6M
15.70%
1Y
33.45%
3Y*
20.02%
5Y*
9.14%
10Y*
10.47%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VFWAX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares		16.36%32.32%5.43%15.55%-15.51%8.08%11.34%21.53%-13.97%27.20%
VTIAX
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares		15.81%32.18%5.34%15.28%-16.02%8.59%11.27%21.52%-14.46%27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VFWAX and VTIAX 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

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2011

1.00

The correlation between VFWAX and VTIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VFWAX
VTIAX

Financial Services

22.6%
22.3%

Technology

21.6%
18.1%

Industrials

15.0%
16.1%

Consumer Cyclical

8.0%
8.4%

Basic Materials

7.1%
7.6%

Healthcare

6.7%
7.1%

Consumer Defensive

4.9%
5.0%

Energy

4.7%
5.2%

Communication Services

4.5%
4.4%

Utilities

3.0%
3.2%

Real Estate

1.9%
2.6%

Financial Services

VFWAX
22.6%
VTIAX
22.3%

Technology

VFWAX
21.6%
VTIAX
18.1%

Industrials

VFWAX
15.0%
VTIAX
16.1%

Consumer Cyclical

VFWAX
8.0%
VTIAX
8.4%

Basic Materials

VFWAX
7.1%
VTIAX
7.6%

Healthcare

VFWAX
6.7%
VTIAX
7.1%

Consumer Defensive

VFWAX
4.9%
VTIAX
5.0%

Energy

VFWAX
4.7%
VTIAX
5.2%

Communication Services

VFWAX
4.5%
VTIAX
4.4%

Utilities

VFWAX
3.0%
VTIAX
3.2%

Real Estate

VFWAX
1.9%
VTIAX
2.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares

Often compared with VFWAX:
VFWAX vs. VTSAXVFWAX vs. FSPSXVFWAX vs. VOOVFWAX vs. DODWXVFWAX vs. SPYVFWAX vs. VIGAXVFWAX vs. RERGX
Often compared with VTIAX:
VTIAX vs. VTSAXVTIAX vs. VXUSVTIAX vs. FTIHXVTIAX vs. VTWAXVTIAX vs. SWISXVTIAX vs. VOOVTIAX vs. VWIGX

Return for Risk

VFWAX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VFWAX
VFWAX Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VFWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
VFWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7171
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
VTIAX
VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7373
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 6464
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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.

VFWAXVTIAXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.30
2.28

+0.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.08
3.07

+0.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.43

1.43

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.10

3.05

+0.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.01

11.84

+0.17

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFWAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFWAX and VTIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFWAX drawdown since its inception was -34.93%, roughly equal to the maximum VTIAX drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFWAX and VTIAX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VFWAXVTIAXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.93%

-35.83%

+0.90%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.34%

-11.28%

-0.06%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.25%

-13.13%

-0.12%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.20%

-29.52%

+0.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.93%

-35.83%

+0.90%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.17%

-8.06%

+0.89%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.92%

2.90%

+0.02%

Volatility

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) have volatilities of 6.14% and 6.02%, 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

VFWAXVTIAXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.14%

6.02%

+0.12%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.22%

13.03%

+0.19%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.32%

15.10%

+0.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.36%

15.21%

+0.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.11%

15.95%

+0.16%

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFWAX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VFWAX vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFWAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.45%, less than VTIAX's 2.48% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFWAX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares		2.45%3.05%3.20%3.28%3.07%3.03%1.97%3.07%3.24%2.67%2.96%2.95%
VTIAX
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares		2.48%3.15%3.33%3.22%3.04%3.05%2.10%3.04%3.16%2.73%2.93%2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 1.00, VFWAX and VTIAX 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.

VFWAX has higher volatility (6.14%) compared to VTIAX (6.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFWAX dropped -34.93% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

VFWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 2.28), 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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