VTPSX vs. VIIIX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VTPSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VIIIX (Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both mutual funds - VTPSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, while VIIIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX returned 10.18%/yr vs 15.69%/yr for VIIIX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTPSX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for VIIIX.

Performance

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - 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 Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTPSX achieves a 12.33% return, which is significantly higher than VIIIX's 8.10% return. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX has underperformed VIIIX with an annualized return of 10.18%, while VIIIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.69% 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%

VIIIX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: -2.04%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.77%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 21.18%
• 5Y*: 13.19%
• 10Y*: 15.69%

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

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - 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%
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	8.10%	17.87%	26.29%	25.79%	-18.14%	28.69%	18.41%	31.48%	-4.41%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VTPSX and VIIIX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.81

The correlation between VTPSX and VIIIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTPSX	VIIIX
Financial Services	22.3%	10.9%
Technology	18.1%	39.1%
Industrials	16.1%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	9.9%
Basic Materials	7.6%	1.7%
Healthcare	7.1%	8.3%
Energy	5.2%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	4.5%
Communication Services	4.4%	10.7%
Utilities	3.2%	2.1%
Real Estate	2.6%	1.8%

Return for Risk

VTPSX vs. VIIIX — 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

VIIIX

VIIIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
VIIIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VIIIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VIIIX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VIIIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VIIIX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. VIIIX - 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 Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX). 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	VIIIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.79	+0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.44	2.44	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.32	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	2.51	-0.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.47	11.22	-1.75

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the VIIIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTPSX and VIIIX, 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. VIIIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTPSX drawdown since its inception was -35.77%, smaller than the maximum VIIIX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTPSX and VIIIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTPSX	VIIIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.77%	-55.18%	+19.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-8.90%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-18.75%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.49%	-24.50%	-4.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.77%	-33.79%	-1.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.03%	-3.22%	+0.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-10.00%	+1.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	1.99%	+0.92%

Volatility

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) has a higher volatility of 6.79% compared to Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VIIIX) at 4.88%. This indicates that VTPSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VIIIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTPSX	VIIIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	4.88%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.38%	9.90%	+3.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.37%	12.54%	+2.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.26%	16.99%	-1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.82%	18.08%	-2.26%

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTPSX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VIIIX's 0.02% 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

VTPSX vs. VIIIX - Dividend Comparison

VTPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than VIIIX's 2.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIIIX Vanguard Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.80%	2.11%	3.66%	2.66%	3.39%	4.79%	3.07%	2.86%	2.45%	1.84%	2.38%	2.47%
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 VIIIX in my portfolio?

VTPSX and VIIIX have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VIIIX?

VTPSX has higher volatility (6.79%) compared to VIIIX (4.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTPSX dropped -35.77% vs VIIIX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.79), 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.