VTMGX vs. VFWAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VTMGX (Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VFWAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - VTMGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VFWAX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTMGX returned 10.24%/yr vs 10.03%/yr for VFWAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VTMGX charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VFWAX.

Performance

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VTMGX having a 15.89% return and VFWAX slightly lower at 15.78%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTMGX having a 10.24% annualized return and VFWAX not far behind at 10.03%.

VTMGX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 6.03%
• YTD: 15.89%
• 6M: 19.15%
• 1Y: 33.58%
• 3Y*: 20.20%
• 5Y*: 9.96%
• 10Y*: 10.24%

VFWAX

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 5.91%
• YTD: 15.78%
• 6M: 18.57%
• 1Y: 33.77%
• 3Y*: 20.05%
• 5Y*: 9.05%
• 10Y*: 10.03%

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

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTMGX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.89%	35.17%	3.03%	17.65%	-15.33%	11.39%	10.25%	22.04%	-14.48%	26.39%
VFWAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares	15.78%	32.32%	5.43%	15.55%	-15.51%	8.08%	11.34%	21.53%	-13.97%	27.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VTMGX and VFWAX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2011	0.98

The correlation between VTMGX and VFWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTMGX	VFWAX
Financial Services	23.3%	23.3%
Industrials	19.2%	15.7%
Technology	13.8%	18.5%
Healthcare	8.2%	7.1%
Basic Materials	7.5%	7.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	8.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	5.1%
Energy	5.4%	5.2%
Communication Services	3.4%	4.6%
Utilities	3.3%	3.2%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.0%

Return for Risk

VTMGX vs. VFWAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTMGX

VTMGX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VTMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
VTMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
VTMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VTMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VTMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VFWAX

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

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.

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX). 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.

	VTMGX	VFWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.31	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.14	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.43	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.93	-0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.88	11.55	-0.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTMGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the VFWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTMGX and VFWAX, 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

	VTMGX	VFWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.31	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.60	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.63	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.52	-0.21

Drawdowns

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTMGX drawdown since its inception was -60.58%, which is greater than VFWAX's maximum drawdown of -34.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTMGX and VFWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTMGX	VFWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.58%	-34.93%	-25.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-11.34%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.18%	-13.25%	+0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-29.40%	-0.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.68%	-34.93%	-0.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.66%	-7.19%	-7.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.88%	+0.13%

Volatility

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFWAX) have volatilities of 4.97% and 4.89%, 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

	VTMGX	VFWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	4.89%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.53%	12.06%	+0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	14.41%	+0.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.87%	15.19%	+0.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.54%	16.08%	+0.46%

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTMGX has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than VFWAX's 0.11% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTMGX vs. VFWAX - Dividend Comparison

VTMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.58%, more than VFWAX's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VFWAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.55%	3.05%	3.20%	3.28%	3.07%	3.03%	1.97%	3.07%	3.24%	2.67%	2.96%	2.95%
VTMGX Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares	2.58%	3.20%	3.34%	3.14%	2.88%	3.14%	2.02%	3.03%	3.33%	2.77%	3.06%	2.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTMGX and VFWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VTMGX and VFWAX 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, VTMGX or VFWAX?

VTMGX has higher volatility (4.97%) compared to VFWAX (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTMGX dropped -60.58% vs VFWAX's -34.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 vs 2.17), 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.