VSTCX vs. VTIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSTCX (Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund) and VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSTCX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX returned 12.71%/yr vs 9.85%/yr for VTIAX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSTCX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTIAX.

Performance

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTCX achieves a 18.22% return, which is significantly higher than VTIAX's 15.40% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX has outperformed VTIAX with an annualized return of 12.71%, while VTIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.85% annualized return.

VSTCX

• 1D: 0.58%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 18.22%
• 6M: 18.42%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 22.14%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 5.53%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 6M: 18.19%
• 1Y: 33.34%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	18.22%	15.20%	15.40%	21.34%	-13.00%	33.53%	8.38%	22.18%	-11.87%	9.21%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.40%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTCX and VTIAX is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2010	0.74

The correlation between VSTCX and VTIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSTCX	VTIAX
Financial Services	18.3%	22.3%
Industrials	16.1%	16.1%
Technology	14.9%	18.1%
Healthcare	14.1%	7.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.1%	8.4%
Real Estate	6.5%	2.6%
Energy	6.2%	5.2%
Basic Materials	5.2%	7.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	5.0%
Communication Services	2.4%	4.4%
Utilities	2.3%	3.2%

Return for Risk

VSTCX vs. VTIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VSTCX

VSTCX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VSTCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VSTCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VSTCX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VSTCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VSTCX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX). 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.

	VSTCX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.50	2.31	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.14	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.44	2.91	+2.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.17	11.49	+7.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.50, which is comparable to the VTIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTCX and VTIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VSTCX	VTIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.50	2.31	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.59	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.62	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.44	-0.06

Drawdowns

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, which is greater than VTIAX's maximum drawdown of -35.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and VTIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTCX	VTIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.50%	-35.83%	-26.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.08%	-11.28%	+3.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.47%	-13.13%	-14.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.47%	-29.56%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.08%	-35.83%	-12.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.65%	-8.08%	-2.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	2.85%	-0.56%

Volatility

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) is 4.49%, while Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) has a volatility of 4.80%. This indicates that VSTCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTCX	VTIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.80%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.97%	11.90%	+0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.57%	14.22%	+3.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.99%	15.04%	+6.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.47%	15.93%	+7.54%

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTCX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIAX's 0.09% 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

VSTCX vs. VTIAX - Dividend Comparison

VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.38%, more than VTIAX's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund	6.38%	7.55%	9.66%	2.50%	7.44%	19.92%	1.24%	4.14%	11.74%	5.76%	1.35%	2.33%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.60%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTCX and VTIAX in my portfolio?

VSTCX and VTIAX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTCX or VTIAX?

VTIAX has higher volatility (4.80%) compared to VSTCX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTCX dropped -62.50% vs VTIAX's -35.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.50 vs 2.31), 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.