VRTTX vs. VIIIX
VRTTX (Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - VRTTX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, VRTTX returned 15.21%/yr vs 15.87%/yr for VIIIX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VRTTX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.
Performance
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VRTTX having a 10.07% return and VIIIX slightly lower at 9.78%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTTX having a 15.21% annualized return and VIIIX not far ahead at 15.87%.
VRTTX
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 0.49%
- YTD
- 10.07%
- 6M
- 8.94%
- 1Y
- 25.50%
- 3Y*
- 20.91%
- 5Y*
- 12.27%
- 10Y*
- 15.21%
VIIIX
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 9.78%
- 6M
- 8.78%
- 1Y
- 25.51%
- 3Y*
- 21.80%
- 5Y*
- 13.75%
- 10Y*
- 15.87%
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRTTX Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 10.07% | 16.70% | 23.72% | 25.92% | -19.27% | 25.48% | 20.81% | 31.03% | -5.29% | 21.02% |
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 9.78% | 17.87% | 26.29% | 25.79% | -18.14% | 28.69% | 18.41% | 31.48% | -4.41% | 21.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRTTX and VIIIX is 1.00 - 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 22, 2010 | 0.99 |
The correlation between VRTTX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VRTTX vs. VIIIX — Risk / Return Rank
VRTTX
VIIIX
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - 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 Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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.
| VRTTX | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.06 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.39 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.02 | 3.02 | +0.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.51 | 13.62 | -0.11 |
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Drawdowns
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRTTX drawdown since its inception was -34.96%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTTX and VIIIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VRTTX | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.96% | -55.18% | +20.22% |
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% | -24.50% | -0.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.96% | -33.79% | -1.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.45% | -1.72% | +0.27% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.03% | -10.00% | +5.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.98% | 1.97% | +0.01% |
Volatility
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTTX) and Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) have volatilities of 4.73% and 4.68%, 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 | VIIIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.73% | 4.68% | +0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.00% | 9.84% | +0.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.79% | 12.50% | +0.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.45% | 16.98% | +0.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.46% | 18.11% | +0.35% |
VRTTX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VRTTX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% 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. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison
VRTTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than VIIIX's 2.45% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 2.45% | 2.11% | 3.66% | 2.66% | 3.39% | 4.79% | 3.07% | 2.86% | 2.45% | 1.84% | 2.38% | 2.47% |
VRTTX Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.04% | 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 1.00, VRTTX and VIIIX 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 (4.73%) compared to VIIIX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTTX dropped -34.96% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.
VIIIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.10), 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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