VTSMX vs. VGT

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

VTSMX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares) and VGT (Vanguard Information Technology ETF) are both funds - VTSMX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while VGT is a Technology Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA IMI Information Technology 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX returned 14.67%/yr vs 24.49%/yr for VGT. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VTSMX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VGT.

Performance

VTSMX vs. VGT - 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 Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSMX achieves a 14.22% return, which is significantly lower than VGT's 27.34% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSMX has underperformed VGT with an annualized return of 14.67%, while VGT has yielded a comparatively higher 24.49% annualized return.

VTSMX

• 1D: 1.84%
• 1M: 2.44%
• 6M: 13.22%
• YTD: 14.22%
• 1Y: 24.50%
• 3Y*: 20.78%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 14.67%
• ALL TIME*: 10.79%

VGT

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 2.88%
• 6M: 33.00%
• YTD: 27.34%
• 1Y: 40.73%
• 3Y*: 30.79%
• 5Y*: 18.91%
• 10Y*: 24.49%
• ALL TIME*: 15.12%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	$490.99M	$509.59M	$577.86M
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VTSMX vs. VGT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSMX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares	14.22%	16.63%	22.76%	26.38%	-19.60%	25.59%	20.87%	30.63%	-5.27%	21.05%
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	27.34%	21.77%	29.30%	52.66%	-29.70%	30.45%	46.04%	48.62%	2.46%	37.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VTSMX and VGT is 0.86, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.87

The correlation between VTSMX and VGT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTSMX vs. VGT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VTSMX

VTSMX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VTSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VTSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VTSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

VGT

VGT Risk / Return Rank: 57
VGT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
VGT Omega Ratio Rank: 55
VGT Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VGT Martin Ratio Rank: 51

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VTSMX vs. VGT - 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 Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT). 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	VGT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.83	1.67	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.25	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.28	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.70	2.50	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.65	6.69	+4.97

VTSMX vs. VGT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.83, which is comparable to the VGT Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSMX and VGT, 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. VGT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSMX drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, roughly equal to the maximum VGT drawdown of -54.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSMX and VGT.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSMX	VGT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.38%	-54.63%	-0.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.93%	-16.40%	+7.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.63%	-27.23%	+7.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-35.07%	+9.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-35.07%	+0.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.70%	+4.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.86%	-7.95%	-0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.06%	6.11%	-4.05%

Volatility

VTSMX vs. VGT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares (VTSMX) is 4.12%, while Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) has a volatility of 9.00%. This indicates that VTSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSMX	VGT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	9.00%	-4.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.50%	20.38%	-9.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	24.47%	-11.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.50%	25.92%	-8.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.43%	24.93%	-6.50%

VTSMX vs. VGT - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTSMX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VGT's 0.09% 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. VGT - Dividend Comparison

VTSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, more than VGT's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGT Vanguard Information Technology ETF	0.36%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.64%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%
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 VGT in my portfolio?

VTSMX and VGT have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTSMX or VGT?

VGT has higher volatility (9.00%) compared to VTSMX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTSMX dropped -55.38% vs VGT's -54.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.83 vs 1.67), 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.