VITNX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VITNX (Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VITNX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VITNX returned 14.54%/yr vs 14.96%/yr for VFIAX. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VITNX charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VITNX achieves a 9.87% return, which is significantly higher than VFIAX's 9.33% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VITNX having a 14.54% annualized return and VFIAX not far ahead at 14.96%.

VITNX

• 1D: 1.62%
• 1M: -0.78%
• 6M: 8.15%
• YTD: 9.87%
• 1Y: 21.13%
• 3Y*: 19.13%
• 5Y*: 11.93%
• 10Y*: 14.54%
• ALL TIME*: 10.11%

VFIAX

• 1D: 1.66%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: 7.77%
• YTD: 9.33%
• 1Y: 20.60%
• 3Y*: 19.00%
• 5Y*: 12.65%
• 10Y*: 14.96%
• ALL TIME*: 8.81%

*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)
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VITNX Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VITNX Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	9.87%	17.16%	25.42%	26.01%	-19.47%	25.76%	20.95%	30.86%	-5.60%	20.52%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	9.33%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between VITNX and VFIAX is 1.00 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2001	0.99

The correlation between VITNX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VITNX	VFIAX
Technology	36.1%	38.6%
Financial Services	11.7%	11.4%
Industrials	10.2%	8.5%
Healthcare	9.7%	8.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	9.5%
Communication Services	9.1%	9.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.3%	4.5%
Energy	3.2%	3.0%
Real Estate	2.3%	1.8%
Utilities	2.2%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.7%

Return for Risk

VITNX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VITNX

VITNX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VITNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VITNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VITNX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VITNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VITNX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	VITNX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.43	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	1.99	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.26	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.10	2.06	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.10	8.84	+0.26

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VITNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VITNX and VFIAX, 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

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VITNX drawdown since its inception was -55.32%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VITNX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VITNX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.32%	-55.20%	-0.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-8.90%	-0.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-18.75%	-0.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.32%	-24.53%	-0.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.99%	-33.83%	-1.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-2.11%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.32%	-9.35%	+2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	2.07%	-0.01%

Volatility

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VITNX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 3.40% and 3.44%, 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

	VITNX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.40%	3.44%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	10.09%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	12.86%	+0.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.46%	17.01%	+0.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	18.07%	+0.34%

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VITNX has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VFIAX's 0.04% 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%.

Dividends

VITNX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

VITNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than VFIAX's 1.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.07%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%
VITNX Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	2.32%	2.63%	4.14%	2.41%	6.48%	5.37%	11.56%	2.90%	3.92%	1.89%	2.78%	2.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VITNX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VITNX and VFIAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VITNX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (3.44%) compared to VITNX (3.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VITNX dropped -55.32% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VITNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.43), 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.