VLISX vs. VTSAX
VLISX (Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VLISX returned 15.66%/yr vs 15.12%/yr for VTSAX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.04% expense ratio.
Performance
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VLISX having a 11.50% return and VTSAX slightly higher at 11.98%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VLISX having a 15.66% annualized return and VTSAX not far behind at 15.12%.
VLISX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 5.98%
- YTD
- 11.50%
- 6M
- 11.40%
- 1Y
- 28.69%
- 3Y*
- 22.98%
- 5Y*
- 13.92%
- 10Y*
- 15.66%
VTSAX
- 1D
- 0.24%
- 1M
- 5.76%
- YTD
- 11.98%
- 6M
- 11.87%
- 1Y
- 29.09%
- 3Y*
- 22.34%
- 5Y*
- 13.04%
- 10Y*
- 15.12%
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLISX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 11.50% | 18.11% | 25.12% | 27.26% | -19.68% | 27.04% | 21.04% | 31.38% | -4.47% | 22.04% |
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 11.98% | 17.12% | 23.23% | 26.51% | -19.52% | 25.72% | 20.98% | 30.79% | -5.18% | 21.16% |
Correlation
The correlation between VLISX and VTSAX is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2004 | 1.00 |
The correlation between VLISX and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VLISX vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank
VLISX
VTSAX
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLISX) 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.
| VLISX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.45 | 1.44 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.22 | 3.37 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.79 | 15.56 | -0.77 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VLISX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.48 | 2.47 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.82 | 0.76 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.86 | 0.82 | +0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.59 | 0.47 | +0.12 |
Drawdowns
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VLISX drawdown since its inception was -54.48%, roughly equal to the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLISX and VTSAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VLISX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -54.48% | -55.33% | +0.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.19% | -8.92% | -0.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.01% | -19.36% | +0.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.65% | -25.36% | -0.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -33.97% | -34.97% | +1.00% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.74% | -9.01% | +2.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.00% | 1.93% | +0.07% |
Volatility
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VLISX) is 2.80%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) has a volatility of 2.95%. This indicates that VLISX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VLISX | VTSAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.80% | 2.95% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.01% | 9.19% | -0.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.92% | 12.19% | -0.27% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.16% | 17.36% | -0.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.20% | 18.41% | -0.21% |
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both VLISX and VTSAX have an expense ratio of 0.04%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
VLISX vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison
VLISX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.97%, less than VTSAX's 1.00% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VLISX Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.97% | 1.08% | 1.24% | 1.41% | 1.67% | 1.19% | 1.46% | 1.81% | 2.09% | 1.76% | 1.99% | 1.97% |
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.00% | 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
With a correlation of 0.99, VLISX and VTSAX 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.
VTSAX has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to VLISX (2.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLISX dropped -54.48% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.
VLISX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 2.47), 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.
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