VTIAX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTIAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VPMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX returned 9.85%/yr vs 17.65%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTIAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.31%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - 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 PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTIAX achieves a 15.40% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 25.44% return. Over the past 10 years, VTIAX has underperformed VPMAX with an annualized return of 9.85%, while VPMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.65% annualized return.

VTIAX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 5.53%
• YTD: 15.40%
• 6M: 18.19%
• 1Y: 33.34%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 8.81%
• 10Y*: 9.85%

VPMAX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 12.86%
• YTD: 25.44%
• 6M: 26.85%
• 1Y: 58.91%
• 3Y*: 28.09%
• 5Y*: 16.52%
• 10Y*: 17.65%

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

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.40%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	21.52%	-14.46%	27.54%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.44%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIAX and VPMAX is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2010	0.81

The correlation between VTIAX and VPMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTIAX	VPMAX
Financial Services	22.3%	7.7%
Technology	18.1%	29.2%
Industrials	16.1%	13.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	11.9%
Basic Materials	7.6%	1.6%
Healthcare	7.1%	25.4%
Energy	5.2%	1.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	1.2%
Communication Services	4.4%	7.8%
Utilities	3.2%	0.0%
Real Estate	2.6%	0.1%

Return for Risk

VTIAX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTIAX

VTIAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VTIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VTIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VTIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VTIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VTIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 94
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - 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 PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	VTIAX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	3.76	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.14	5.05	-1.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.66	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.91	5.14	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.49	23.68	-12.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIAX and VPMAX, 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

	VTIAX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	3.76	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.91	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.92	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.65	-0.21

Drawdowns

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, smaller than the maximum VPMAX drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIAX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIAX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-48.32%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-11.72%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.13%	-20.55%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.56%	-25.21%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.83%	-32.65%	-3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.08%	-6.58%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.85%	2.54%	+0.31%

Volatility

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) is 4.80%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 6.18%. This indicates that VTIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIAX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.80%	6.18%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	12.85%	-0.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.22%	16.02%	-1.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.04%	18.26%	-3.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	19.19%	-3.26%

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VPMAX's 0.31% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTIAX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

VTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than VPMAX's 13.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.12%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.60%	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 VPMAX in my portfolio?

VTIAX and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTIAX or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (6.18%) compared to VTIAX (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIAX dropped -35.83% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.76 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.