VTPSX vs. VWILX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

VTPSX (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) and VWILX (Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Vanguard. VTPSX is passively managed, while VWILX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTPSX returned 10.52%/yr vs 10.45%/yr for VWILX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTPSX charges 0.05%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for VWILX.

Performance

VTPSX vs. VWILX - 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 International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTPSX achieves a 15.83% return, which is significantly higher than VWILX's 5.64% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VTPSX having a 10.52% annualized return and VWILX not far behind at 10.45%.

VTPSX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 15.83%
• 6M: 15.74%
• 1Y: 33.51%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 9.18%
• 10Y*: 10.52%

VWILX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 2.28%
• YTD: 5.64%
• 6M: 5.62%
• 1Y: 13.32%
• 3Y*: 12.63%
• 5Y*: -1.62%
• 10Y*: 10.45%

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

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	15.83%	32.25%	5.39%	15.31%	-15.99%	8.64%	11.29%	21.57%	-14.40%	27.56%
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	5.64%	20.08%	9.18%	14.80%	-30.80%	-12.81%	59.77%	31.50%	-12.58%	43.17%

Correlation

The correlation between VTPSX and VWILX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2010	0.92

The correlation between VTPSX and VWILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTPSX	VWILX
Financial Services	22.3%	12.2%
Technology	18.1%	27.5%
Industrials	16.1%	13.3%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	17.5%
Basic Materials	7.6%	2.6%
Healthcare	7.1%	10.6%
Energy	5.2%	1.9%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	5.4%
Communication Services	4.4%	6.2%
Utilities	3.2%	0.5%
Real Estate	2.6%	-

Return for Risk

VTPSX vs. VWILX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTPSX

VTPSX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VTPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VTPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VTPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VWILX

VWILX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VWILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VWILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
VWILX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VWILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
VWILX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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. VWILX - 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 International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX). 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	VWILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	0.77	+1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	1.17	+1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.15	+0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	1.03	+2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.87	3.27	+8.60

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTPSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is higher than the VWILX Sharpe Ratio of 0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTPSX and VWILX, 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. VWILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTPSX drawdown since its inception was -35.77%, smaller than the maximum VWILX drawdown of -59.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTPSX and VWILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTPSX	VWILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.77%	-59.49%	+23.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-14.06%	+2.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.14%	-20.02%	+6.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.49%	-53.56%	+24.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.77%	-54.08%	+18.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-15.14%	+15.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-15.09%	+7.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	4.39%	-1.49%

Volatility

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VTPSX) is 6.01%, while Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWILX) has a volatility of 6.58%. This indicates that VTPSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTPSX	VWILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	6.58%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	15.49%	-2.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.09%	18.81%	-3.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.21%	23.57%	-8.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.95%	21.74%	-5.79%

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTPSX has a 0.05% expense ratio, which is lower than VWILX's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTPSX vs. VWILX - Dividend Comparison

VTPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.52%, less than VWILX's 6.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.52%	3.18%	3.37%	3.25%	3.09%	3.09%	2.13%	3.08%	3.20%	2.77%	2.97%	2.89%
VWILX Vanguard International Growth Fund Admiral Shares	6.52%	6.89%	9.81%	1.92%	7.03%	0.36%	2.38%	1.30%	5.52%	0.84%	1.42%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTPSX and VWILX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, VTPSX and VWILX 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, VTPSX or VWILX?

VWILX has higher volatility (6.58%) compared to VTPSX (6.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTPSX dropped -35.77% vs VWILX's -59.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 0.77), 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.