VTHR vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTHR (Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds - VTHR tracks the Russell 3000 Index while ITOT tracks the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTHR returned 14.95%/yr vs 15.01%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTHR charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

VTHR vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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 VTHR having a 10.94% return and ITOT slightly higher at 11.25%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTHR having a 14.95% annualized return and ITOT not far ahead at 15.01%.

VTHR

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 4.88%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 10.83%
• 1Y: 27.71%
• 3Y*: 21.93%
• 5Y*: 12.66%
• 10Y*: 14.95%

ITOT

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 5.01%
• YTD: 11.25%
• 6M: 11.12%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 12.69%
• 10Y*: 15.01%

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

VTHR vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	10.94%	16.99%	23.57%	25.92%	-19.20%	25.49%	20.93%	30.82%	-5.65%	21.06%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	11.25%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	25.68%	20.71%	30.67%	-5.33%	21.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VTHR and ITOT is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.95

The correlation between VTHR and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTHR vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTHR	ITOT
Technology	33.1%	33.8%
Financial Services	12.1%	12.1%
Communication Services	10.5%	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	10.1%
Industrials	9.6%	9.5%
Healthcare	9.1%	9.0%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	4.7%
Energy	3.8%	3.7%
Real Estate	2.4%	2.4%
Utilities	2.3%	2.3%
Basic Materials	2.2%	2.1%

Return for Risk

VTHR vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTHR

VTHR Risk / Return Rank: 67
VTHR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTHR Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTHR Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTHR Martin Ratio Rank: 74

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VTHR vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	VTHR	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	2.32	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.13	3.17	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.42	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	3.17	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	14.57	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTHR vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTHR Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is comparable to the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTHR and ITOT, 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

	VTHR	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	2.32	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.74	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.82	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.57	+0.28

Drawdowns

VTHR vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTHR drawdown since its inception was -34.61%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTHR and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTHR	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.61%	-55.20%	+20.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.91%	-8.90%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-19.44%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.06%	-25.36%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.61%	-35.00%	+0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-0.73%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.04%	-6.97%	+2.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.94%	0.00%

Volatility

VTHR vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) have volatilities of 2.98% and 2.99%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTHR	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.98%	2.99%	-0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.28%	9.13%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	12.20%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	17.36%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.84%	18.26%	-0.42%

VTHR vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTHR has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% 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

VTHR vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

VTHR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, more than ITOT's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	0.98%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
VTHR Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF	1.00%	1.08%	1.19%	1.47%	1.52%	1.16%	1.37%	1.65%	1.89%	1.63%	1.82%	1.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTHR and ITOT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, VTHR and ITOT 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, VTHR or ITOT?

ITOT has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to VTHR (2.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTHR dropped -34.61% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, VTHR or ITOT?

On 10-year performance, ITOT leads with 15.01% vs 14.95% for VTHR. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTHR or ITOT?

Over the 10-year period, ITOT has performed better with a 15.01% return vs 14.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTHR or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VTHR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTHR or ITOT?

VTHR has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.98% for ITOT.

What is the main difference between VTHR and ITOT?

VTHR tracks Russell 3000 Index, while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for VTHR and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ITOT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 2.27), 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.