VGTSX vs. FTEC

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VGTSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares) and FTEC (Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF) are both funds - VGTSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while FTEC is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, VGTSX returned 9.71%/yr vs 25.76%/yr for FTEC. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGTSX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FTEC.

Performance

VGTSX vs. FTEC - 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 Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGTSX achieves a 14.65% return, which is significantly lower than FTEC's 33.89% return. Over the past 10 years, VGTSX has underperformed FTEC with an annualized return of 9.71%, while FTEC has yielded a comparatively higher 25.76% annualized return.

VGTSX

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 14.65%
• 6M: 17.75%
• 1Y: 31.79%
• 3Y*: 19.46%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 9.71%

FTEC

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: 20.11%
• YTD: 33.89%
• 6M: 32.97%
• 1Y: 65.82%
• 3Y*: 34.61%
• 5Y*: 23.33%
• 10Y*: 25.76%

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

VGTSX vs. FTEC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	14.65%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	21.44%	-14.47%	27.39%
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	33.89%	22.11%	29.40%	53.30%	-29.59%	30.49%	45.83%	48.93%	-0.39%	36.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VGTSX and FTEC is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 25, 2013	0.69

The correlation between VGTSX and FTEC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VGTSX vs. FTEC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 59
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

FTEC

FTEC Risk / Return Rank: 82
FTEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FTEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FTEC Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FTEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
FTEC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. FTEC - 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 Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC). 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	FTEC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	3.22	-0.88
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.90	-0.73
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.52	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	4.14	-1.22
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.54	13.34	-1.80
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. FTEC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the FTEC Sharpe Ratio of 3.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGTSX and FTEC, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGTSX	FTEC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	3.22	-0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.93	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	1.05	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.99	-0.67

Drawdowns

VGTSX vs. FTEC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGTSX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, which is greater than FTEC's maximum drawdown of -34.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGTSX and FTEC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGTSX	FTEC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-34.95%	-26.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-16.26%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-27.30%	+14.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.61%	-34.95%	+5.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.93%	-34.95%	-0.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.97%	-5.56%	-8.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	5.05%	-2.20%

Volatility

VGTSX vs. FTEC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) is 4.82%, while Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF (FTEC) has a volatility of 6.02%. This indicates that VGTSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTEC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGTSX	FTEC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	6.02%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.89%	16.05%	-4.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.24%	20.57%	-6.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	25.22%	-10.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	24.69%	-8.76%

VGTSX vs. FTEC - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGTSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than FTEC's 0.08% 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

VGTSX vs. FTEC - Dividend Comparison

VGTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, more than FTEC's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTEC Fidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF	0.32%	0.43%	0.49%	0.77%	0.93%	0.63%	0.83%	1.03%	1.20%	0.96%	1.25%	1.27%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.55%	3.08%	3.26%	3.16%	2.98%	2.99%	2.05%	2.98%	3.09%	2.68%	2.86%	2.77%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGTSX and FTEC in my portfolio?

VGTSX and FTEC have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VGTSX or FTEC?

FTEC has higher volatility (6.02%) compared to VGTSX (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGTSX dropped -61.48% vs FTEC's -34.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTEC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.22 vs 2.34), 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.