VSTSX vs. VIGAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and VIGAX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VSTSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP U.S. Total Market Index, while VIGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VSTSX returned 11.64%/yr vs 11.90%/yr for VIGAX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSTSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VIGAX.

Performance

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - 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 Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTSX achieves a 9.88% return, which is significantly higher than VIGAX's 3.80% return.

VSTSX

• 1D: 1.63%
• 1M: -0.77%
• 6M: 8.17%
• YTD: 9.88%
• 1Y: 21.14%
• 3Y*: 18.61%
• 5Y*: 11.64%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 14.55%

VIGAX

• 1D: 2.71%
• 1M: -1.61%
• 6M: 5.19%
• YTD: 3.80%
• 1Y: 14.04%
• 3Y*: 20.59%
• 5Y*: 11.90%
• 10Y*: 17.14%
• ALL TIME*: 9.56%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	9.88%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.80%	19.43%	32.67%	46.76%	-33.14%	27.26%	40.18%	37.23%	-3.35%	27.80%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTSX and VIGAX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2017	0.93

The correlation between VSTSX and VIGAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTSX vs. VIGAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

VIGAX

VIGAX Risk / Return Rank: 18
VIGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
VIGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VIGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VIGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
VIGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - 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 Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX). 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.

	VSTSX	VIGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	0.66	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	1.01	+1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.12	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.11	0.71	+1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.10	2.26	+6.85

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is higher than the VIGAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.66. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTSX and VIGAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTSX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum VIGAX drawdown of -50.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTSX and VIGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTSX	VIGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-50.66%	+15.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-16.51%	+7.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-23.04%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-35.63%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.63%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.88%	-6.60%	+4.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.84%	-11.92%	+7.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	5.16%	-3.10%

Volatility

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) is 3.41%, while Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VIGAX) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that VSTSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTSX	VIGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.41%	5.41%	-2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	14.24%	-3.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.13%	17.76%	-4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	22.62%	-5.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.70%	21.69%	-2.99%

VSTSX vs. VIGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTSX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VIGAX'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. VIGAX - Dividend Comparison

VSTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, more than VIGAX's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIGAX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.39%	0.40%	0.46%	0.57%	0.69%	0.47%	0.66%	0.94%	1.31%	1.14%	1.39%	1.31%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.08%	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 VIGAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VSTSX and VIGAX 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.

Which is riskier, VSTSX or VIGAX?

VIGAX has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to VSTSX (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTSX dropped -34.97% vs VIGAX's -50.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 0.66), 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.