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VTSAX vs. VSMGX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTSAX vs. VSMGX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTSAX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and VSMGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund) are both mutual funds - VTSAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while VSMGX is a Allocation--50% to 70% Equity fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX returned 14.93%/yr vs 8.83%/yr for VSMGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTSAX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VSMGX.

Performance

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSAX achieves a 9.11% return, which is significantly higher than VSMGX's 6.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSAX has outperformed VSMGX with an annualized return of 14.93%, while VSMGX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.83% annualized return.

VTSAX

1D
1.88%
1M
-0.00%
YTD
9.11%
6M
9.18%
1Y
24.20%
3Y*
20.72%
5Y*
12.09%
10Y*
14.93%

VSMGX

1D
1.65%
1M
0.19%
YTD
6.62%
6M
7.29%
1Y
16.63%
3Y*
15.19%
5Y*
7.36%
10Y*
8.83%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		9.11%17.12%23.23%26.51%-19.52%25.72%20.98%30.79%-5.18%21.16%
VSMGX
Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund		6.62%16.26%15.03%15.70%-16.01%10.08%13.59%19.37%-4.91%13.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSAX and VSMGX is 0.95, 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

0.95

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2000

0.91

The correlation between VTSAX and VSMGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTSAX
VSMGX

Technology

33.3%
27.3%

Financial Services

11.9%
16.1%

Communication Services

10.1%
8.0%

Consumer Cyclical

9.8%
9.4%

Industrials

9.5%
12.4%

Healthcare

9.1%
8.3%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
4.8%

Energy

3.8%
4.3%

Utilities

2.7%
2.7%

Real Estate

2.4%
2.5%

Basic Materials

2.0%
4.3%

Technology

VTSAX
33.3%
VSMGX
27.3%

Financial Services

VTSAX
11.9%
VSMGX
16.1%

Communication Services

VTSAX
10.1%
VSMGX
8.0%

Consumer Cyclical

VTSAX
9.8%
VSMGX
9.4%

Industrials

VTSAX
9.5%
VSMGX
12.4%

Healthcare

VTSAX
9.1%
VSMGX
8.3%

Consumer Defensive

VTSAX
4.7%
VSMGX
4.8%

Energy

VTSAX
3.8%
VSMGX
4.3%

Utilities

VTSAX
2.7%
VSMGX
2.7%

Real Estate

VTSAX
2.4%
VSMGX
2.5%

Basic Materials

VTSAX
2.0%
VSMGX
4.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares

Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund

Often compared with VTSAX:
VTSAX vs. VOOVTSAX vs. VTIAXVTSAX vs. SWTSXVTSAX vs. FSKAXVTSAX vs. VTIVTSAX vs. SPYVTSAX vs. VTWAX
Often compared with VSMGX:
VSMGX vs. VSCGXVSMGX vs. VBIAXVSMGX vs. AOAVSMGX vs. VOOVSMGX vs. AOMVSMGX vs. VTVSMGX vs. ABALX

Return for Risk

VTSAX vs. VSMGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTSAX
VTSAX Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VTSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7171
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6666
Omega Ratio Rank
VTSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
Martin Ratio Rank
VSMGX
VSMGX Risk / Return Rank: 7272
Overall Rank
VSMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VSMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
VSMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 7272
Omega Ratio Rank
VSMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
VSMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX). 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.

VTSAXVSMGXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.94
1.98

-0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.65
2.78

-0.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.37

-0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.77

2.58

+0.18

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.46

11.06

+1.40

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VSMGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSAX and VSMGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSAX drawdown since its inception was -55.33%, which is greater than VSMGX's maximum drawdown of -41.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSAX and VSMGX.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTSAXVSMGXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.33%

-41.13%

-14.20%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-6.64%

-2.28%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.36%

-9.62%

-9.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-22.29%

-3.07%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.97%

-22.43%

-12.54%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.56%

-1.50%

-1.06%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.00%

-4.84%

-4.16%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.98%

1.55%

+0.43%

Volatility

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) has a higher volatility of 4.60% compared to Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund (VSMGX) at 3.63%. This indicates that VTSAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VTSAXVSMGXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.60%

3.63%

+0.97%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.93%

7.24%

+2.69%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.71%

8.67%

+4.04%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.43%

10.26%

+7.17%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.44%

10.39%

+8.05%

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSAX has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VSMGX'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

VTSAX vs. VSMGX - Dividend Comparison

VTSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than VSMGX's 4.92% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VSMGX
Vanguard LifeStrategy 60/40 Fund		4.92%5.25%11.49%4.01%2.66%3.86%3.46%2.52%4.11%1.09%2.26%3.89%
VTSAX
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares		1.02%1.11%1.26%1.42%1.65%1.20%1.41%1.76%2.03%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.95, VTSAX and VSMGX 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.

VTSAX has higher volatility (4.60%) compared to VSMGX (3.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSAX dropped -55.33% vs VSMGX's -41.13%.

VSMGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.94), 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.

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