VGTSX vs. TANDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VGTSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares) and TANDX (Castle Tandem Fund) are both mutual funds - VGTSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while TANDX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Castle Investment Management. Over the past 5 years, VGTSX returned 8.74%/yr vs 1.63%/yr for TANDX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VGTSX charges 0.17%/yr vs 1.59%/yr for TANDX.

Performance

VGTSX vs. TANDX - 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 Castle Tandem Fund (TANDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGTSX achieves a 15.35% return, which is significantly higher than TANDX's -13.18% return.

VGTSX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 5.52%
• YTD: 15.35%
• 6M: 18.13%
• 1Y: 33.21%
• 3Y*: 19.70%
• 5Y*: 8.74%
• 10Y*: 9.78%

TANDX

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: -3.85%
• YTD: -13.18%
• 6M: -13.13%
• 1Y: -15.71%
• 3Y*: 1.15%
• 5Y*: 1.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

VGTSX vs. TANDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	15.35%	32.05%	5.30%	15.18%	-16.07%	8.58%	11.15%	10.92%
TANDX Castle Tandem Fund	-13.18%	3.67%	7.66%	8.42%	-7.87%	19.03%	13.39%	12.57%

Correlation

The correlation between VGTSX and TANDX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2019	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between VGTSX and TANDX has dropped to 0.39 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VGTSX vs. TANDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGTSX

VGTSX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VGTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VGTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VGTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VGTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VGTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

TANDX

TANDX Risk / Return Rank: 0
TANDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
TANDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
TANDX Omega Ratio Rank: 0
TANDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
TANDX Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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. TANDX - 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 Castle Tandem Fund (TANDX). 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	TANDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	-1.70	+4.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	-2.29	+5.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	0.74	+0.68
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	-0.98	+3.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.45	-2.30	+13.75
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. TANDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is higher than the TANDX Sharpe Ratio of -1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGTSX and TANDX, 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	TANDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	-1.70	+4.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.00	+0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.01	+0.31

Drawdowns

VGTSX vs. TANDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGTSX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, smaller than the maximum TANDX drawdown of -93.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGTSX and TANDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGTSX	TANDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-93.93%	+32.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-16.13%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.11%	-93.93%	+80.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.61%	-93.93%	+64.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.93%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-93.93%	+93.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.97%	-20.25%	+6.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	6.85%	-4.00%

Volatility

VGTSX vs. TANDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) has a higher volatility of 4.82% compared to Castle Tandem Fund (TANDX) at 2.52%. This indicates that VGTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TANDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VGTSX	TANDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	2.52%	+2.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	7.18%	+4.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.22%	9.26%	+4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.02%	595.57%	-580.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	496.55%	-480.62%

VGTSX vs. TANDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGTSX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than TANDX's 1.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGTSX vs. TANDX - Dividend Comparison

VGTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.53%, less than TANDX's 7.11% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TANDX Castle Tandem Fund	7.11%	6.17%	3.71%	2.10%	1.48%	4.57%	0.33%	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGTSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares	2.53%	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 TANDX in my portfolio?

VGTSX and TANDX have a correlation of 0.39, 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 TANDX?

VGTSX has higher volatility (4.82%) compared to TANDX (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGTSX dropped -61.48% vs TANDX's -93.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs -1.70), 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.