VFWSX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFWSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX).

VFWSX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 30, 2007. VTIAX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 29, 2010.

Performance

VFWSX 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 Institutional Shares (VFWSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFWSX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares	-1.04%	32.38%	5.45%	15.59%	-15.48%	8.11%	11.37%	21.58%	-13.97%	27.24%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	-1.02%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VFWSX having a -1.04% return and VTIAX slightly higher at -1.02%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VFWSX having a 8.67% annualized return and VTIAX not far behind at 8.51%.

VFWSX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -11.06%
• YTD: -1.04%
• 6M: 3.62%
• 1Y: 23.65%
• 3Y*: 14.37%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: 8.67%

VTIAX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -11.11%
• YTD: -1.02%
• 6M: 3.45%
• 1Y: 24.00%
• 3Y*: 14.20%
• 5Y*: 6.87%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

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

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFWSX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than VTIAX's 0.11% 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%.

VTIAX

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares

VFWSX

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

Return for Risk

VFWSX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFWSX

VFWSX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VFWSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VFWSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VFWSX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VFWSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VFWSX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VFWSX 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 Institutional Shares (VFWSX) 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.

	VFWSX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.50	-0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	1.99	-0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	1.92	-0.04
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.45	7.64	-0.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFWSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFWSX and VTIAX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VFWSX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	1.50	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.47	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.54	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.38	-0.15

Correlation

The correlation between VFWSX and VTIAX is 1.00, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

VFWSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, which matches VTIAX's 3.03% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFWSX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.01%	3.08%	3.23%	3.31%	3.10%	3.06%	1.99%	3.10%	3.28%	2.67%	2.97%	2.97%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.03%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Drawdowns

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFWSX drawdown since its inception was -61.60%, which is greater than VTIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFWSX and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFWSX	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.60%	-35.83%	-25.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.34%	-11.28%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.37%	-29.56%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.87%	-35.83%	+0.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.34%	-11.28%	-0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.35%	-8.15%	-5.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.84%	+0.02%

Volatility

VFWSX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFWSX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) have volatilities of 6.92% and 6.80%, 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

	VFWSX	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.92%	6.80%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.63%	10.50%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.78%	15.53%	+0.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.93%	14.80%	+0.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	15.83%	+0.15%