VV vs. VSS

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VV (Vanguard Large-Cap ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VV is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Index, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VV returned 15.58%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for VSS. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VV charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.

Performance

VV vs. VSS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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 VV having a 10.69% return and VSS slightly lower at 10.57%. Over the past 10 years, VV has outperformed VSS with an annualized return of 15.58%, while VSS has yielded a comparatively lower 8.07% annualized return.

VV

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 5.19%
• YTD: 10.69%
• 6M: 10.54%
• 1Y: 27.77%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 13.54%
• 10Y*: 15.58%

VSS

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 10.57%
• 6M: 13.10%
• 1Y: 27.32%
• 3Y*: 16.67%
• 5Y*: 5.76%
• 10Y*: 8.07%

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

VV vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VV Vanguard Large-Cap ETF	10.69%	18.11%	25.25%	27.18%	-19.91%	27.41%	21.04%	31.25%	-4.46%	22.00%
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	10.57%	29.61%	2.94%	15.52%	-21.48%	13.05%	11.81%	21.36%	-18.48%	30.61%

Correlation

The correlation between VV and VSS is 0.76, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 7, 2009	0.80

The correlation between VV and VSS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

VV vs. VSS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VV	VSS
Technology	35.9%	13.3%
Financial Services	11.8%	10.8%
Communication Services	11.2%	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	9.3%
Healthcare	8.6%	6.2%
Industrials	8.0%	18.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	3.4%
Energy	3.6%	4.9%
Utilities	2.7%	2.5%
Real Estate	1.7%	7.3%
Basic Materials	1.6%	12.1%

Return for Risk

VV vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VV

VV Risk / Return Rank: 67
VV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VV Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VV Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VV Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VV Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VSS

VSS Risk / Return Rank: 51
VSS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VSS Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VSS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VSS Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VSS Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VV vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.

	VV	VSS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.85	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	2.54	+0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.36	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.86	9.13	+4.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VV vs. VSS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VV Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is comparable to the VSS Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VV and VSS, 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

	VV	VSS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	1.85	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.35	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.47	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.55	+0.05

Drawdowns

VV vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VV drawdown since its inception was -54.81%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VV and VSS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VV	VSS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.81%	-43.51%	-11.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.21%	-11.62%	+2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.97%	-15.73%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.66%	-33.93%	+8.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.28%	-43.51%	+9.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-2.58%	+1.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.84%	-9.64%	+2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.01%	3.00%	-0.99%

Volatility

VV vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Large-Cap ETF (VV) is 2.84%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a volatility of 5.33%. This indicates that VV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VV	VSS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	5.33%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.98%	12.64%	-3.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	14.81%	-2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	16.46%	+0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.19%	17.27%	+0.92%

VV vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VV has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than VSS's 0.07% 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

VV vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison

VV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than VSS's 3.07% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF	3.07%	3.39%	3.44%	3.14%	2.30%	2.74%	1.90%	3.25%	2.80%	2.83%	2.93%	2.66%
VV Vanguard Large-Cap ETF	0.98%	1.08%	1.24%	1.41%	1.66%	1.19%	1.46%	1.81%	2.09%	1.75%	1.98%	1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VV and VSS in my portfolio?

VV and VSS have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VV or VSS?

VSS has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to VV (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VV dropped -54.81% vs VSS's -43.51%.

Which ETF is better, VV or VSS?

On 10-year performance, VV leads with 15.58% vs 8.07% for VSS. On fees, VV is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VV has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VV or VSS?

Over the 10-year period, VV has performed better with a 15.58% return vs 8.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VV or VSS?

VV is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.07% for VSS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VV or VSS?

VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.07%, compared with 0.98% for VV.

What is the main difference between VV and VSS?

VV is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. VV tracks CRSP US Large Cap Index, while VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for VV and 0.07% for VSS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.85), 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.