VSMPX vs. VFIFX
VSMPX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) are both mutual funds - VSMPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VFIFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VSMPX returned 14.49%/yr vs 11.19%/yr for VFIFX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VSMPX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VFIFX.
Performance
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VSMPX having a 9.88% return and VFIFX slightly higher at 9.92%. Over the past 10 years, VSMPX has outperformed VFIFX with an annualized return of 14.49%, while VFIFX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.19% annualized return.
VSMPX
- 1D
- 1.63%
- 1M
- -0.78%
- 6M
- 8.16%
- YTD
- 9.88%
- 1Y
- 21.12%
- 3Y*
- 18.60%
- 5Y*
- 11.63%
- 10Y*
- 14.49%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.62%
VFIFX
- 1D
- 1.88%
- 1M
- -0.46%
- 6M
- 6.73%
- YTD
- 9.92%
- 1Y
- 21.54%
- 3Y*
- 16.58%
- 5Y*
- 9.52%
- 10Y*
- 11.19%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.65%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSMPX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 9.88% | 17.15% | 23.26% | 26.53% | -19.50% | 25.74% | 21.01% | 30.79% | -5.16% | 21.19% |
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund | 9.92% | 21.42% | 14.45% | 20.39% | -17.48% | 16.42% | 16.40% | 24.99% | -7.89% | 19.15% |
Correlation
The correlation between VSMPX and VFIFX is 0.97 - 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. | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016 | 0.96 |
The correlation between VSMPX and VFIFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VSMPX vs. VFIFX — Risk / Return Rank
VSMPX
VFIFX
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX). 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.
| VSMPX | VFIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.29 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.10 | 2.24 | -0.13 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.09 | 9.31 | -0.21 |
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Drawdowns
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSMPX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum VFIFX drawdown of -51.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMPX and VFIFX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSMPX | VFIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.97% | -51.68% | +16.71% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -8.87% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.36% | -14.54% | -4.82% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.35% | -25.40% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.97% | -31.36% | -3.61% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.89% | -1.91% | +0.02% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.55% | -6.84% | +2.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.06% | 2.13% | -0.07% |
Volatility
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX) is 3.41%, while Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) has a volatility of 3.72%. This indicates that VSMPX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSMPX | VFIFX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.41% | 3.72% | -0.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.27% | 10.44% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.13% | 12.53% | +0.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.47% | 14.35% | +3.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.41% | 15.09% | +3.32% |
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSMPX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VFIFX's 0.08% 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
VSMPX vs. VFIFX - Dividend Comparison
VSMPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than VFIFX's 1.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund | 1.90% | 2.09% | 2.26% | 2.21% | 2.38% | 12.83% | 1.84% | 2.20% | 2.51% | 0.03% | 2.04% | 2.36% |
VSMPX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares | 1.07% | 1.13% | 1.27% | 1.43% | 1.67% | 1.22% | 1.43% | 1.78% | 2.05% | 1.73% | 1.95% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, VSMPX and VFIFX 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.
VFIFX has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to VSMPX (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSMPX dropped -34.97% vs VFIFX's -51.68%.
VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 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.
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