VSTSX vs. VBR

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and VBR (Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF) are both funds - VSTSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VBR is a Small Cap Value Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Small Cap Value Index. Over the past 5 years, VSTSX returned 12.91%/yr vs 8.08%/yr for VBR. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSTSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VBR.

Performance

VSTSX vs. VBR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VSTSX having a 11.72% return and VBR slightly higher at 12.11%.

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 5.10%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 29.69%
• 3Y*: 22.28%
• 5Y*: 12.91%
• 10Y*: —

VBR

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 1.86%
• YTD: 12.11%
• 6M: 13.63%
• 1Y: 27.83%
• 3Y*: 16.59%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 10.58%

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

VSTSX vs. VBR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.72%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	12.11%	9.09%	12.40%	16.00%	-9.38%	28.08%	5.90%	22.78%	-12.28%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTSX and VBR is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.83

The correlation between VSTSX and VBR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTSX vs. VBR — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

VBR

VBR Risk / Return Rank: 56
VBR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VBR Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VBR Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VBR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VBR Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

VSTSX vs. VBR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR). 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.

	VSTSX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.84	+0.64
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.70	+0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.32	+0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	3.10	+0.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.66	10.94	+4.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTSX vs. VBR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is higher than the VBR Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTSX and VBR, 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

	VSTSX	VBR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.84	+0.64
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.41	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.42	+0.39

Drawdowns

VSTSX vs. VBR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTSX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum VBR drawdown of -61.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTSX and VBR.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTSX	VBR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-61.98%	+27.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-8.85%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-24.19%	+4.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-24.19%	-1.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.90%	-8.27%	+3.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	2.50%	-0.57%

Volatility

VSTSX vs. VBR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) is 2.95%, while Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF (VBR) has a volatility of 4.07%. This indicates that VSTSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTSX	VBR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	4.07%	-1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	10.46%	-1.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.21%	15.17%	-2.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	19.77%	-2.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.76%	21.74%	-2.98%

VSTSX vs. VBR - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTSX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VBR's 0.05% 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

VSTSX vs. VBR - Dividend Comparison

VSTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than VBR's 1.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VBR Vanguard Small-Cap Value ETF	1.75%	1.95%	1.98%	2.12%	2.03%	1.75%	1.68%	2.06%	2.35%	1.79%	1.77%	1.99%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.03%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTSX and VBR in my portfolio?

VSTSX and VBR have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTSX or VBR?

VBR has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to VSTSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTSX dropped -34.97% vs VBR's -61.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.84), 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.