VTSMX vs. IVW

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares) and IVW (iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both funds - VTSMX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while IVW is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX returned 14.95%/yr vs 17.90%/yr for IVW. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTSMX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for IVW.

Performance

VTSMX vs. IVW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW). 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 VTSMX having a 8.83% return and IVW slightly lower at 8.39%. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX has underperformed IVW with an annualized return of 14.95%, while IVW has yielded a comparatively higher 17.90% annualized return.

VTSMX

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: -0.80%
• YTD: 8.83%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 22.74%
• 3Y*: 20.27%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: 14.95%

IVW

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: -2.29%
• YTD: 8.39%
• 6M: 6.88%
• 1Y: 24.58%
• 3Y*: 25.25%
• 5Y*: 13.90%
• 10Y*: 17.90%

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

VTSMX vs. IVW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	8.83%	16.63%	22.76%	26.38%	-19.60%	25.59%	20.87%	30.63%	-5.27%	21.05%
IVW iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF	8.39%	21.95%	35.82%	29.83%	-29.50%	31.80%	33.19%	30.77%	-0.21%	27.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSMX and IVW is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000	0.95

The correlation between VTSMX and IVW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTSMX vs. IVW — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSMX

VTSMX Risk / Return Rank: 52
VTSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VTSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
VTSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
VTSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VTSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

IVW

IVW Risk / Return Rank: 44
IVW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
IVW Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
IVW Omega Ratio Rank: 43
IVW Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
IVW Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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.

VTSMX vs. IVW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) and iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW). 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.

	VTSMX	IVW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.45	+0.43
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	2.01	+0.57
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.26	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.72	1.80	+0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.12	7.08	+5.03

VTSMX vs. IVW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the IVW Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSMX and IVW, 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

VTSMX vs. IVW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSMX drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, roughly equal to the maximum IVW drawdown of -57.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSMX and IVW.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSMX	IVW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.38%	-57.33%	+1.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-13.75%	+4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.63%	-22.15%	+2.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-32.72%	+7.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-32.72%	-2.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.79%	-5.72%	+2.93%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.88%	-17.59%	+8.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	3.48%	-1.48%

Volatility

VTSMX vs. IVW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) is 4.97%, while iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) has a volatility of 7.23%. This indicates that VTSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IVW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSMX	IVW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	7.23%	-2.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.13%	13.77%	-3.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.89%	17.03%	-4.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	21.35%	-3.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	20.69%	-2.26%

VTSMX vs. IVW - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSMX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than IVW's 0.18% 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

VTSMX vs. IVW - Dividend Comparison

VTSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than IVW's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IVW iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.37%	0.40%	0.43%	1.03%	0.92%	0.46%	0.82%	1.63%	1.28%	1.30%	1.51%	1.51%
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	0.96%	0.75%	0.89%	1.33%	1.54%	1.11%	1.33%	1.67%	1.92%	1.61%	1.83%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTSMX and IVW in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VTSMX and IVW 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, VTSMX or IVW?

IVW has higher volatility (7.23%) compared to VTSMX (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSMX dropped -55.38% vs IVW's -57.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.45), 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.