VGT vs. VTSAX

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VGT returned 24.54%/yr vs 14.64%/yr for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VGT charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

VGT vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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, VGT achieves a 27.80% return, which is significantly higher than VTSAX's 12.18% return. Over the past 10 years, VGT has outperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 24.54%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.64% annualized return.

VGT

• 1D: 4.35%
• 1M: 4.81%
• 6M: 30.81%
• YTD: 27.80%
• 1Y: 39.97%
• 3Y*: 30.95%
• 5Y*: 18.95%
• 10Y*: 24.54%
• ALL TIME*: 15.14%

VTSAX

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: 1.31%
• 6M: 10.65%
• YTD: 12.18%
• 1Y: 21.80%
• 3Y*: 20.39%
• 5Y*: 12.05%
• 10Y*: 14.64%
• ALL TIME*: 9.09%

*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)
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$485.01M	$516.15M	$578.25M
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VGT vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	27.80%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.18%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VGT and VTSAX is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.87

The correlation between VGT and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

VGT vs. VTSAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGT	VTSAX
Technology	98.6%	36.1%
Communication Services	0.5%	9.1%
Financial Services	0.5%	11.8%
Industrials	0.4%	10.2%
Energy	0.3%	3.2%
Consumer Cyclical	0.1%	9.4%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.9%
Healthcare	0.0%	9.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.3%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	2.2%

Return for Risk

VGT vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 58
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 51

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

VGT vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) 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.

	VGT	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.81	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.51	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.32	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.66	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.57	11.51	-4.94

VGT vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGT Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGT 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

VGT vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGT drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, roughly equal to the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGT and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGT	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-55.33%	+0.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.40%	-8.92%	-7.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.23%	-19.36%	-7.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.07%	-25.36%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.07%	-34.97%	-0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.35%	0.00%	-4.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.95%	-8.96%	+1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.10%	2.06%	+4.04%

Volatility

VGT vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a higher volatility of 9.26% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 3.78%. This indicates that VGT'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

	VGT	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.26%	3.78%	+5.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.52%	10.36%	+10.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.56%	13.12%	+11.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.92%	17.48%	+8.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.93%	18.42%	+6.51%

VGT vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGT has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% 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

VGT vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

VGT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%, less than VTSAX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.36%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.03%	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 VGT and VTSAX in my portfolio?

VGT and VTSAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGT or VTSAX?

VGT has higher volatility (9.26%) compared to VTSAX (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGT dropped -54.63% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.64), 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.