VTPSX vs. VGSNX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VTPSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VGSNX (Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - VTPSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VGSNX is a REIT fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX returned 10.18%/yr vs 5.44%/yr for VGSNX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTPSX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGSNX.

Performance

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). 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 VTPSX having a 12.33% return and VGSNX slightly lower at 11.74%. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX has outperformed VGSNX with an annualized return of 10.18%, while VGSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.44% annualized return.

VTPSX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -1.53%
• YTD: 12.33%
• 6M: 12.21%
• 1Y: 27.74%
• 3Y*: 18.84%
• 5Y*: 8.24%
• 10Y*: 10.18%

VGSNX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 11.74%
• 6M: 11.34%
• 1Y: 14.03%
• 3Y*: 11.29%
• 5Y*: 2.70%
• 10Y*: 5.44%

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

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	12.33%	32.25%	5.39%	15.31%	-15.99%	8.64%	11.29%	21.57%	-14.40%	27.56%
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	11.74%	3.21%	3.72%	13.12%	-26.19%	40.46%	-4.76%	28.98%	-5.97%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between VTPSX and VGSNX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.54

The correlation between VTPSX and VGSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VTPSX vs. VGSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTPSX

VTPSX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VTPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VTPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VTPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VTPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VTPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VGSNX

VGSNX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VGSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
VGSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
VGSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
VGSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
VGSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

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.

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). 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.

	VTPSX	VGSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	0.82	+0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	1.20	+1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.15	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	1.35	+1.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.47	4.27	+5.20

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is higher than the VGSNX Sharpe Ratio of 0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTPSX and VGSNX, 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

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTPSX drawdown since its inception was -35.77%, smaller than the maximum VGSNX drawdown of -73.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTPSX and VGSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTPSX	VGSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.77%	-73.06%	+37.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-8.34%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-17.41%	+4.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.49%	-34.39%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.77%	-42.30%	+6.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.03%	-0.75%	-2.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-13.25%	+5.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	2.66%	+0.25%

Volatility

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) has a higher volatility of 6.79% compared to Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX) at 5.18%. This indicates that VTPSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTPSX	VGSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	5.18%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.38%	10.19%	+3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.37%	13.77%	+1.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	18.93%	-3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	20.95%	-5.13%

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTPSX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VGSNX's 0.10% 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

VTPSX vs. VGSNX - Dividend Comparison

VTPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than VGSNX's 4.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.50%	3.94%	3.87%	3.93%	3.94%	2.57%	3.95%	3.40%	4.75%	4.26%	4.84%	3.94%
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.60%	3.18%	3.37%	3.25%	3.09%	3.09%	2.13%	3.08%	3.20%	2.77%	2.97%	2.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTPSX and VGSNX in my portfolio?

VTPSX and VGSNX have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTPSX or VGSNX?

VTPSX has higher volatility (6.79%) compared to VGSNX (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTPSX dropped -35.77% vs VGSNX's -73.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 0.82), 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.