VRTTX vs. VFIAX
VRTTX (Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VRTTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VRTTX returned 15.04%/yr vs 15.63%/yr for VFIAX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VRTTX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.
Performance
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VRTTX having a 11.70% return and VFIAX slightly lower at 11.69%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTTX having a 15.04% annualized return and VFIAX not far ahead at 15.63%.
VRTTX
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- 5.68%
- YTD
- 11.70%
- 6M
- 11.59%
- 1Y
- 28.61%
- 3Y*
- 22.07%
- 5Y*
- 12.93%
- 10Y*
- 15.04%
VFIAX
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 5.80%
- YTD
- 11.69%
- 6M
- 11.73%
- 1Y
- 28.95%
- 3Y*
- 22.72%
- 5Y*
- 14.24%
- 10Y*
- 15.63%
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRTTX Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 11.70% | 16.70% | 23.72% | 25.92% | -19.27% | 25.48% | 20.81% | 31.03% | -5.29% | 21.02% |
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 11.69% | 17.83% | 24.97% | 26.24% | -18.16% | 28.65% | 18.32% | 31.46% | -4.45% | 21.78% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRTTX and VFIAX 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 | 1.00 |
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 Sep 23, 2010 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VRTTX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VRTTX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank
VRTTX
VFIAX
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTTX) 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.
| VRTTX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.46 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.34 | 3.35 | -0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.35 | 15.66 | -0.31 |
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
| VRTTX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.43 | 2.52 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 | 0.85 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.82 | 0.87 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.83 | 0.47 | +0.36 |
Drawdowns
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRTTX drawdown since its inception was -34.96%, smaller than the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTTX and VFIAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VRTTX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.96% | -55.20% | +20.24% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.87% | -8.90% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.56% | -18.75% | -0.81% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.13% | -24.53% | -0.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.96% | -33.83% | -1.13% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.04% | -9.40% | +5.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.92% | 1.90% | +0.02% |
Volatility
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTTX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 2.95% and 2.82%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| VRTTX | VFIAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.95% | 2.82% | +0.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.16% | 8.98% | +0.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.16% | 11.86% | +0.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.36% | 16.90% | +0.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.42% | 18.07% | +0.35% |
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VRTTX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% 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
VRTTX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison
VRTTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, which matches VFIAX's 1.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | 1.01% | 1.12% | 1.24% | 1.45% | 1.68% | 1.24% | 1.53% | 1.87% | 2.05% | 1.78% | 2.02% | 2.10% |
VRTTX Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.00% | 0.82% | 1.20% | 1.49% | 1.54% | 1.12% | 1.38% | 1.72% | 1.96% | 1.69% | 1.89% | 1.91% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.99, VRTTX 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.
VRTTX has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTTX dropped -34.96% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.
VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.43), 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.
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