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VTI vs. VEA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTI vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.31%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.03% expense ratio.

Performance

VTI vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 10.35% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 16.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 15.31%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 11.06% annualized return.

VTI

1D
-0.32%
1M
0.55%
YTD
10.35%
6M
9.59%
1Y
27.18%
3Y*
21.19%
5Y*
12.36%
10Y*
15.31%

VEA

1D
0.11%
1M
3.28%
YTD
16.69%
6M
17.33%
1Y
35.42%
3Y*
20.72%
5Y*
10.37%
10Y*
11.06%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTI vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		10.35%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		16.69%35.16%3.15%17.93%-15.34%11.66%9.71%22.62%-14.75%26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and VEA is 0.81, 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

0.81

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.76

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.79

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.80

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007

0.83

The correlation between VTI and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTI
VEA

Technology

37.0%
16.6%

Financial Services

11.3%
22.3%

Communication Services

9.8%
3.2%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
7.4%

Industrials

9.4%
17.5%

Healthcare

9.0%
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

4.3%
5.5%

Energy

3.3%
4.7%

Real Estate

2.3%
2.5%

Utilities

2.1%
3.0%

Basic Materials

1.9%
7.5%

Technology

VTI
37.0%
VEA
16.6%

Financial Services

VTI
11.3%
VEA
22.3%

Communication Services

VTI
9.8%
VEA
3.2%

Consumer Cyclical

VTI
9.7%
VEA
7.4%

Industrials

VTI
9.4%
VEA
17.5%

Healthcare

VTI
9.0%
VEA
7.6%

Consumer Defensive

VTI
4.3%
VEA
5.5%

Energy

VTI
3.3%
VEA
4.7%

Real Estate

VTI
2.3%
VEA
2.5%

Utilities

VTI
2.1%
VEA
3.0%

Basic Materials

VTI
1.9%
VEA
7.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF

Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ
Often compared with VEA:
VEA vs. VXUSVEA vs. VWOVEA vs. VOOVEA vs. VEUVEA vs. SCHFVEA vs. IEFAVEA vs. VGK

Return for Risk

VTI vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6666
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6767
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
VEA
VEA Risk / Return Rank: 6767
Overall Rank
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTI vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

VTIVEADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.14
2.16

-0.02

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.90
2.93

-0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.38

1.39

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.06

3.06

0.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.68

11.80

+1.88

VTI vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VTI vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and VEA.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTIVEADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.45%

-60.68%

+5.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-11.63%

+2.71%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.30%

-13.45%

-5.85%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-29.71%

+4.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.00%

-35.73%

+0.73%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.48%

0.00%

-1.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.01%

-13.26%

+5.25%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

3.01%

-1.02%

Volatility

VTI vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.74%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTIVEADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.74%

6.32%

-1.58%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.96%

14.39%

-4.43%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.76%

16.52%

-3.76%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.49%

16.71%

+0.78%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.35%

17.38%

+0.97%

VTI vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both VTI and VEA have an expense ratio of 0.03%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTI vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than VEA's 2.50% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VEA
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF		2.50%3.22%3.35%3.15%2.91%3.16%2.04%3.04%3.35%2.77%3.05%2.92%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.02%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

VTI and VEA have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VEA has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to VTI (4.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs VEA's -60.68%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.31% vs 11.06% for VEA. Both ETFs have the same 0.03% expense ratio. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.31% return vs 11.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI and VEA have the same expense ratio: 0.03% per year.

VEA has the higher dividend yield at 2.50%, compared with 1.02% for VTI.

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index.

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.14), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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