VTIAX vs. VWICX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VTIAX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VWICX (Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Vanguard. VTIAX is passively managed, while VWICX is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, VTIAX returned 8.82%/yr vs 12.20%/yr for VWICX. Their 0.97 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VTIAX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.47%/yr for VWICX.

Performance

VTIAX vs. VWICX - 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 International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX). 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 VTIAX having a 12.86% return and VWICX slightly higher at 13.30%.

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%

VWICX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.42%
• 6M: 6.20%
• YTD: 13.30%
• 1Y: 31.73%
• 3Y*: 20.98%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 12.75%

*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)
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VWICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	12.86%	32.18%	5.34%	15.28%	-16.02%	8.59%	11.27%	8.27%
VWICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares	13.30%	38.41%	8.62%	14.30%	-10.76%	11.70%	9.12%	7.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VTIAX and VWICX is 0.98 - 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.	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2019	0.97

The correlation between VTIAX and VWICX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTIAX	VWICX
Technology	25.6%	16.0%
Financial Services	24.2%	24.1%
Industrials	13.8%	11.6%
Healthcare	6.9%	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	8.6%
Basic Materials	5.9%	7.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.6%	6.2%
Energy	4.4%	5.2%
Communication Services	3.9%	5.8%
Utilities	2.6%	4.0%
Real Estate	0.9%	2.2%

Return for Risk

VTIAX vs. VWICX — 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

VWICX

VWICX Risk / Return Rank: 79
VWICX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VWICX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VWICX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VWICX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
VWICX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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. VWICX - 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 International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX). 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	VWICX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	1.87	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	2.56	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.35	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.88	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	10.62	-1.60

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTIAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the VWICX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTIAX and VWICX, 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. VWICX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTIAX drawdown since its inception was -35.83%, roughly equal to the maximum VWICX drawdown of -34.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTIAX and VWICX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTIAX	VWICX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.83%	-34.37%	-1.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.28%	-10.84%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.13%	-13.28%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.52%	-24.94%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.83%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.55%	-2.44%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-5.67%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.04%	2.94%	+0.10%

Volatility

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTIAX) is 5.26%, while Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares (VWICX) has a volatility of 5.77%. This indicates that VTIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWICX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTIAX	VWICX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	5.77%	-0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.12%	14.66%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.96%	16.71%	-0.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	15.65%	-0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	18.05%	-2.23%

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTIAX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VWICX's 0.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTIAX vs. VWICX - Dividend Comparison

VTIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than VWICX's 3.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWICX Vanguard International Core Stock Fund Investor Shares	3.82%	4.33%	2.58%	2.10%	1.99%	4.27%	1.80%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTIAX and VWICX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, VTIAX and VWICX 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 VWICX?

VWICX has higher volatility (5.77%) compared to VTIAX (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTIAX dropped -35.83% vs VWICX's -34.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWICX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 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.