VT vs. VEXAX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while VEXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.93%/yr vs 12.23%/yr for VEXAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.06% expense ratio.

Performance

VT vs. VEXAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VT achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly lower than VEXAX's 13.86% return. Over the past 10 years, VT has outperformed VEXAX with an annualized return of 12.93%, while VEXAX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.23% annualized return.

VT

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 11.06%
• 6M: 11.82%
• 1Y: 27.43%
• 3Y*: 19.71%
• 5Y*: 10.65%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

VEXAX

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: 5.63%
• YTD: 13.86%
• 6M: 11.70%
• 1Y: 29.57%
• 3Y*: 18.98%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 12.23%

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

VT vs. VEXAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	11.06%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.86%	11.42%	15.47%	26.95%	-26.46%	12.45%	32.22%	28.03%	-9.37%	18.11%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and VEXAX is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2008	0.88

The correlation between VT and VEXAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. VEXAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	VEXAX
Technology	27.8%	19.8%
Financial Services	15.9%	14.6%
Industrials	12.0%	19.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	9.7%
Communication Services	8.3%	3.3%
Healthcare	8.1%	13.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	2.7%
Energy	4.3%	5.1%
Basic Materials	4.2%	4.2%
Utilities	2.7%	2.0%
Real Estate	2.4%	6.0%

Return for Risk

VT vs. VEXAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 68
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VEXAX

VEXAX Risk / Return Rank: 51
VEXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VEXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VEXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
VEXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VEXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VT vs. VEXAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX). 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.

	VT	VEXAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.53	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.16	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.65	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.67	9.32	+2.35

VT vs. VEXAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VEXAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and VEXAX, 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

VT vs. VEXAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, smaller than the maximum VEXAX drawdown of -58.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and VEXAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	VEXAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-58.08%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-10.25%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-26.84%	+10.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-36.33%	+9.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-41.62%	+7.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-1.04%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.01%	-12.17%	+5.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	2.92%	-0.70%

Volatility

VT vs. VEXAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is 5.26%, while Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) has a volatility of 6.48%. This indicates that VT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEXAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	VEXAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	6.48%	-1.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.01%	13.35%	-2.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.38%	17.81%	-4.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.15%	22.43%	-6.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	22.40%	-5.13%

VT vs. VEXAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VT and VEXAX have an expense ratio of 0.06%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VT vs. VEXAX - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than VEXAX's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.02%	1.14%	1.09%	1.25%	1.15%	1.13%	1.07%	1.30%	1.66%	1.25%	1.43%	1.35%
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.61%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and VEXAX in my portfolio?

VT and VEXAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VT or VEXAX?

VEXAX has higher volatility (6.48%) compared to VT (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs VEXAX's -58.08%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.53), 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.