VGTSX vs. BTMKX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX).

VGTSX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 29, 1996. BTMKX is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index. It was launched on Apr 1, 2011.

Performance

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	-1.04%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	21.44%	-14.47%	27.39%
BTMKX iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund	-1.91%	31.70%	3.70%	18.37%	-14.04%	11.30%	8.07%	21.96%	-13.38%	25.17%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGTSX achieves a -1.04% return, which is significantly higher than BTMKX's -1.91% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VGTSX having a 8.44% annualized return and BTMKX not far ahead at 8.60%.

VGTSX

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: -11.13%
• YTD: -1.04%
• 6M: 3.40%
• 1Y: 23.91%
• 3Y*: 14.12%
• 5Y*: 6.80%
• 10Y*: 8.44%

BTMKX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -10.83%
• YTD: -1.91%
• 6M: 2.37%
• 1Y: 19.63%
• 3Y*: 13.45%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 8.60%

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

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGTSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than BTMKX's 0.05% 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%.

VGTSX

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares

BTMKX

iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund

Return for Risk

VGTSX vs. BTMKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 80
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

BTMKX

BTMKX Risk / Return Rank: 62
BTMKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
BTMKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
BTMKX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
BTMKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
BTMKX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX). 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.

	VGTSX	BTMKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.09	+0.40
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	1.53	+0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.22	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.54	+0.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.61	5.89	+1.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is higher than the BTMKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGTSX and BTMKX, 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

	VGTSX	BTMKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.09	+0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.50	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.52	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.35	-0.06

Correlation

The correlation between VGTSX and BTMKX is 0.97, 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

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Dividend Comparison

VGTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, less than BTMKX's 3.82% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.95%	3.08%	3.26%	3.16%	2.98%	2.99%	2.05%	2.98%	3.09%	2.68%	2.86%	2.77%
BTMKX iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund	3.82%	3.74%	3.43%	3.19%	2.80%	3.06%	1.99%	3.34%	4.58%	2.45%	2.85%	2.42%

Drawdowns

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGTSX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, which is greater than BTMKX's maximum drawdown of -33.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGTSX and BTMKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGTSX	BTMKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-33.92%	-27.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-11.30%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.61%	-29.23%	-0.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.93%	-33.92%	-2.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.29%	-10.88%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.04%	-7.82%	-6.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	2.96%	-0.12%

Volatility

VGTSX vs. BTMKX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) and iShares MSCI EAFE International Index Fund (BTMKX) have volatilities of 6.78% and 7.07%, 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

	VGTSX	BTMKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.78%	7.07%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.48%	10.81%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.49%	16.98%	-1.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.78%	15.95%	-1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.83%	16.58%	-0.75%