VTWO vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTWO (Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTWO is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Russell 2000 Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTWO returned 11.12%/yr vs 15.04%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTWO charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VTWO vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTWO achieves a 18.87% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 11.72% return. Over the past 10 years, VTWO has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.12%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.04% annualized return.

VTWO

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 18.87%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 41.90%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 11.12%

VTI

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 4.59%
• YTD: 11.72%
• 6M: 11.43%
• 1Y: 28.79%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 12.80%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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

VTWO vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF	18.87%	12.90%	11.55%	17.08%	-20.49%	14.79%	20.22%	25.81%	-11.15%	14.69%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.72%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VTWO and VTI is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.88

The correlation between VTWO and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTWO vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTWO	VTI
Industrials	17.7%	9.8%
Technology	17.0%	33.5%
Healthcare	16.5%	9.2%
Financial Services	15.7%	12.0%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	10.0%
Real Estate	6.1%	2.4%
Energy	6.1%	3.7%
Basic Materials	4.8%	2.0%
Utilities	2.9%	2.3%
Communication Services	2.4%	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	2.4%	4.7%

Return for Risk

VTWO vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTWO

VTWO Risk / Return Rank: 69
VTWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTWO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VTWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VTWO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

VTWO vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	VTWO	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.38	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	3.24	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.83	3.24	+0.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.62	14.94	-1.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTWO vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTWO Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTWO and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VTWO	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	2.38	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	0.74	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.82	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.51	+0.02

Drawdowns

VTWO vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTWO drawdown since its inception was -41.19%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTWO and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTWO	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.19%	-55.45%	+14.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-8.92%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.57%	-19.30%	-8.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.88%	-25.36%	-6.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.19%	-35.00%	-6.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.39%	-8.03%	-0.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.08%	1.93%	+1.15%

Volatility

VTWO vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF (VTWO) has a higher volatility of 5.69% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.90%. This indicates that VTWO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTWO	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	2.90%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	9.13%	+4.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.12%	12.17%	+6.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.49%	17.40%	+5.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.08%	18.30%	+4.78%

VTWO vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTWO has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTWO vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VTWO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%
VTWO Vanguard Russell 2000 ETF	1.07%	1.25%	1.21%	1.45%	1.48%	1.13%	0.92%	1.36%	1.41%	1.18%	1.27%	1.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTWO and VTI in my portfolio?

VTWO and VTI have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTWO or VTI?

VTWO has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to VTI (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTWO dropped -41.19% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, VTWO or VTI?

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.04% vs 11.12% for VTWO. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTWO or VTI?

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.04% return vs 11.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTWO or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.06% for VTWO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VTWO or VTI?

VTWO has the higher dividend yield at 1.07%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VTWO and VTI?

VTWO is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. VTWO tracks Russell 2000 Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for VTWO and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.20), 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.