VTSNX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSNX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

VTSNX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Nov 29, 2010.

Performance

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSNX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTSNX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.74%	32.24%	5.38%	15.29%	-15.99%	8.64%	11.27%	21.69%	-14.41%	27.54%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-3.95%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTSNX achieves a 1.74% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -3.95% return. Over the past 10 years, VTSNX has underperformed ^GSPC with an annualized return of 8.85%, while ^GSPC has yielded a comparatively higher 12.24% annualized return.

VTSNX

• 1D: 2.80%
• 1M: -7.28%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 5.73%
• 1Y: 27.11%
• 3Y*: 15.29%
• 5Y*: 7.23%
• 10Y*: 8.85%

^GSPC

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: -4.45%
• YTD: -3.95%
• 6M: -2.02%
• 1Y: 16.73%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 10.34%
• 10Y*: 12.24%

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

Return for Risk

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTSNX

VTSNX Risk / Return Rank: 86
VTSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
VTSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VTSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VTSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
VTSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 67
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSNX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	VTSNX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.76	0.92	+0.84
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	1.41	+0.91
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.21	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	1.41	+0.94
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.23	6.61	+2.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTSNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.76, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTSNX and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTSNX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.76	0.92	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.61	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.68	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.46	-0.08

Correlation

The correlation between VTSNX and ^GSPC is 0.81, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTSNX drawdown since its inception was -35.72%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTSNX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTSNX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.72%	-56.78%	+21.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-12.14%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.55%	-25.43%	-4.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.72%	-33.92%	-1.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.81%	-5.78%	-3.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.16%	-10.75%	+2.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.88%	2.60%	+0.28%

Volatility

VTSNX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares (VTSNX) has a higher volatility of 7.48% compared to S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) at 5.37%. This indicates that VTSNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTSNX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.48%	5.37%	+2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.82%	9.55%	+1.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.73%	18.33%	-2.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.84%	16.90%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.85%	18.05%	-2.20%