VT vs. VTSAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VT (Vanguard Total World Stock ETF) and VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both funds - VT is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap Index, while VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VT returned 12.74%/yr vs 15.12%/yr for VTSAX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VT charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VTSAX.

Performance

VT vs. VTSAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VT having a 12.24% return and VTSAX slightly lower at 11.98%. Over the past 10 years, VT has underperformed VTSAX with an annualized return of 12.74%, while VTSAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.12% annualized return.

VT

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: 4.91%
• YTD: 12.24%
• 6M: 13.14%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 10.99%
• 10Y*: 12.74%

VTSAX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.98%
• 6M: 11.87%
• 1Y: 29.09%
• 3Y*: 22.34%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 15.12%

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

VT vs. VTSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	12.24%	22.43%	16.49%	22.02%	-18.00%	18.27%	16.59%	26.81%	-9.76%	24.50%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.98%	17.12%	23.23%	26.51%	-19.52%	25.72%	20.98%	30.79%	-5.18%	21.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VT and VTSAX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2008	0.95

The correlation between VT and VTSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VT vs. VTSAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VT	VTSAX
Technology	27.8%	33.3%
Financial Services	15.9%	11.9%
Industrials	12.0%	9.5%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	9.8%
Communication Services	8.3%	10.1%
Healthcare	8.1%	9.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	4.7%
Energy	4.3%	3.8%
Basic Materials	4.2%	2.0%
Utilities	2.7%	2.7%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.4%

Return for Risk

VT vs. VTSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VT

VT Risk / Return Rank: 67
VT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VT Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VTSAX

VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VTSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	VT	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.47	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	3.36	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.44	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	3.37	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	15.56	-2.03
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VT vs. VTSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VT Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the VTSAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VT and VTSAX, 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

	VT	VTSAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.47	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.76	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.82	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.47	-0.03

Drawdowns

VT vs. VTSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VT drawdown since its inception was -50.27%, smaller than the maximum VTSAX drawdown of -55.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VT and VTSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VT	VTSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.27%	-55.33%	+5.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.67%	-8.92%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.51%	-19.36%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.38%	-25.36%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.24%	-34.97%	+0.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.88%	0.00%	-0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-9.01%	+1.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.17%	1.93%	+0.24%

Volatility

VT vs. VTSAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) has a higher volatility of 3.83% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) at 2.95%. This indicates that VT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VT	VTSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	2.95%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.17%	9.19%	+0.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.70%	12.19%	+0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.05%	17.36%	-1.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.23%	18.41%	-1.18%

VT vs. VTSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VT has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTSAX's 0.04% 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

VT vs. VTSAX - Dividend Comparison

VT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.59%, more than VTSAX's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VT Vanguard Total World Stock ETF	1.59%	1.82%	1.95%	2.08%	2.20%	1.82%	1.66%	2.32%	2.53%	2.11%	2.39%	2.45%
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.00%	1.11%	1.26%	1.42%	1.65%	1.20%	1.41%	1.76%	2.03%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VT and VTSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VT and VTSAX 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, VT or VTSAX?

VT has higher volatility (3.83%) compared to VTSAX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VT dropped -50.27% vs VTSAX's -55.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 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.