VTI vs. VXX
VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 14.58%/yr vs -46.65%/yr for VXX. At a correlation of -0.78, they often move in opposite directions. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for VXX.
Performance
VTI vs. VXX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 10.86% return, which is significantly higher than VXX's -19.27% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed VXX with an annualized return of 14.58%, while VXX has yielded a comparatively lower -46.65% annualized return.
VTI
- 1D
- 0.87%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 10.91%
- YTD
- 10.86%
- 1Y
- 20.79%
- 3Y*
- 19.44%
- 5Y*
- 11.97%
- 10Y*
- 14.58%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.61%
VXX
- 1D
- -3.39%
- 1M
- -6.27%
- 6M
- -27.26%
- YTD
- -19.27%
- 1Y
- -52.36%
- 3Y*
- -39.14%
- 5Y*
- -46.50%
- 10Y*
- -46.65%
- ALL TIME*
- -51.48%
VTI vs. VXX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 10.86% | 17.10% | 23.81% | 26.05% | -19.52% | 25.68% | 21.08% | 30.67% | -5.23% | 21.21% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -19.27% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between VTI and VXX is -0.78, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.76 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.75 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2009 | -0.78 |
The correlation between VTI and VXX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.78 to -0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VTI vs. VXX — Risk / Return Rank
VTI
VXX
VTI vs. VXX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX). 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.
| VTI | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.55 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +3.73 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 0.84 | +0.45 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.34 | -0.96 | +3.30 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.21 | -1.52 | +11.73 |
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Drawdowns
VTI vs. VXX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum VXX drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and VXX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VTI | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.45% | -100.00% | +44.55% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.92% | -54.59% | +45.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -80.75% | +61.45% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.36% | -95.85% | +70.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.00% | -99.82% | +64.82% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.03% | -100.00% | +98.97% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.99% | -95.10% | +87.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.04% | 34.50% | -32.46% |
Volatility
VTI vs. VXX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 3.14%, while iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a volatility of 12.47%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VTI | VXX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.14% | 12.47% | -9.33% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.21% | 44.07% | -33.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.88% | 56.60% | -43.72% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.49% | 67.53% | -50.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.29% | 70.33% | -52.04% |
VTI vs. VXX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VXX's 0.89% expense ratio.
Dividends
VTI vs. VXX - Dividend Comparison
VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, while VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | 1.06% | 1.12% | 1.27% | 1.44% | 1.66% | 1.21% | 1.42% | 1.78% | 2.04% | 1.71% | 1.92% | 1.98% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VTI and VXX have a correlation of -0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXX has higher volatility (12.47%) compared to VTI (3.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs VXX's -100.00%.
On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 14.58% vs -46.65% for VXX. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.14%. 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 14.58% return vs -46.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.
VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.06%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.
VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while VXX is Volatility. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Barclays Capital. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.89% for VXX.
VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs -0.93), 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.
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