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VSMPX vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VSMPX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

VSMPX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from Vanguard tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VSMPX returned 15.08%/yr vs 15.07%/yr for VTI. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VSMPX charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VSMPX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VSMPX having a 10.73% return and VTI slightly lower at 10.70%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VSMPX having a 15.08% annualized return and VTI not far behind at 15.07%.

VSMPX

1D
1.14%
1M
1.36%
YTD
10.73%
6M
10.72%
1Y
27.59%
3Y*
20.69%
5Y*
12.89%
10Y*
15.08%

VTI

1D
1.16%
1M
1.34%
YTD
10.70%
6M
10.70%
1Y
27.58%
3Y*
20.67%
5Y*
12.86%
10Y*
15.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VSMPX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VSMPX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares		10.73%17.15%23.26%26.53%-19.50%25.74%21.01%30.79%-5.16%21.19%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		10.70%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VSMPX and VTI 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

1.00

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.00

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

1.00

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016

1.00

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

VSMPX vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VSMPX
VTI

Technology

37.0%
37.0%

Financial Services

11.3%
11.3%

Communication Services

9.8%
9.8%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
9.7%

Industrials

9.4%
9.4%

Healthcare

9.0%
9.0%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
4.3%

Energy

3.3%
3.3%

Real Estate

2.3%
2.3%

Utilities

2.1%
2.1%

Basic Materials

1.9%
1.9%

Technology

VSMPX
37.0%
VTI
37.0%

Financial Services

VSMPX
11.3%
VTI
11.3%

Communication Services

VSMPX
9.8%
VTI
9.8%

Consumer Cyclical

VSMPX
9.7%
VTI
9.7%

Industrials

VSMPX
9.4%
VTI
9.4%

Healthcare

VSMPX
9.0%
VTI
9.0%

Consumer Defensive

VSMPX
4.3%
VTI
4.3%

Energy

VSMPX
3.3%
VTI
3.3%

Real Estate

VSMPX
2.3%
VTI
2.3%

Utilities

VSMPX
2.1%
VTI
2.1%

Basic Materials

VSMPX
1.9%
VTI
1.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with VSMPX:
VSMPX vs. VOOVSMPX vs. TRLGXVSMPX vs. VITPXVSMPX vs. VTIVXVSMPX vs. VFIFXVSMPX vs. DODGXVSMPX vs. VBMPX
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

VSMPX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VSMPX
VSMPX Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VSMPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSMPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSMPX Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
VSMPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSMPX Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6969
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VSMPX vs. VTI - 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 Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

VSMPXVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.14
2.15

-0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.90
2.91

-0.01

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.39

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.08

3.07

0.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.79

13.75

+0.04

VSMPX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSMPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSMPX and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VSMPX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSMPX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSMPX and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

VSMPXVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.97%

-55.45%

+20.48%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-8.92%

0.00%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.36%

-19.30%

-0.06%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.35%

-25.36%

+0.01%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.97%

-35.00%

+0.03%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.13%

-1.17%

+0.04%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.58%

-8.01%

+3.43%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

1.99%

0.00%

Volatility

VSMPX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSMPX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 4.88% and 4.84%, 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

VSMPXVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.88%

4.84%

+0.04%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.11%

10.03%

+0.08%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.80%

12.74%

+0.06%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.45%

17.50%

-0.05%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.45%

18.35%

+0.10%

VSMPX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSMPX has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than VTI's 0.03% 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. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VSMPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, which matches VTI's 1.02% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VSMPX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares		1.03%1.13%1.27%1.43%1.67%1.22%1.43%1.78%2.05%1.73%1.95%0.00%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.02%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 1.00, VSMPX and VTI 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.

VSMPX has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to VTI (4.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSMPX dropped -34.97% vs VTI's -55.45%.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.14), 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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