VTIAX vs. VEA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Vanguard - VTIAX tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index while VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX returned 9.43%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for VEA. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VTIAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

VTIAX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIAX achieves a 12.86% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.51% return. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 9.43%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.06% annualized return.

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.07%
• 1M: 0.18%
• 6M: 6.45%
• YTD: 12.86%
• 1Y: 27.78%
• 3Y*: 17.20%
• 5Y*: 8.82%
• 10Y*: 9.43%
• ALL TIME*: 6.96%

VEA

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.32%
• 6M: 7.64%
• YTD: 14.51%
• 1Y: 30.48%
• 3Y*: 19.09%
• 5Y*: 9.69%
• 10Y*: 10.06%
• ALL TIME*: 5.16%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	$651.74M	$763.09M	$794.89M
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VTIAX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.86%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.51%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIAX and VEA is 0.96 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.97

The correlation between VTIAX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTIAX vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTIAX	VEA
Technology	25.6%	18.4%
Financial Services	24.2%	23.1%
Industrials	13.8%	17.9%
Healthcare	6.9%	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	7.3%
Basic Materials	5.9%	6.9%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	5.3%
Energy	4.4%	4.5%
Communication Services	3.9%	3.2%
Utilities	2.6%	3.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	2.5%

Return for Risk

VTIAX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 76
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 77
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTIAX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) 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.

	VTIAX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.78	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.45	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.32	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.63	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	9.84	-0.82

VTIAX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIAX 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.

Drawdowns

VTIAX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIAX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIAX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-60.68%	+24.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-11.63%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.13%	-13.45%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.52%	-29.71%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.83%	-35.73%	-0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.55%	-1.86%	-0.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-13.20%	+5.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	3.11%	-0.07%

Volatility

VTIAX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) have volatilities of 5.26% and 5.40%, 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

	VTIAX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	5.40%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	15.35%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	17.26%	-1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	16.85%	-1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	17.22%	-1.40%

VTIAX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA'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

VTIAX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

VTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, which matches VEA's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.55%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.55%	3.15%	3.33%	3.22%	3.04%	3.05%	2.10%	3.04%	3.16%	2.73%	2.93%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIAX and VEA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, VTIAX and VEA 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, VTIAX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to VTIAX (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIAX dropped -35.83% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.72), 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.