SWTSX vs VTSAX
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, SWTSX or VTSAX?
VTSAX has been ahead.
SWTSX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SWTSX is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SWTSX | VTSAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.04% |
| AUM | $43.7B | $480.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.99% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 2,892 | 3,517 |
| YTD Price Return | +10.64%Best | +9.84% |
| 1Y Price Return | +10.18% | +10.32%Best |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | -37.67% | +19.41%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | -26.26% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.5% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -86.0% | -26.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $2,180 | $15,295Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.5%Best | 34.7% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 1, 1999 | Nov 13, 2000 |
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for SWTSX or VTSAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. SWTSX yields 0.99% and VTSAX 1.05% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2021 to Nov 10, 2026 (5 years).
SWTSX vs VTSAX growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5 years both funds cover. Prices exclude distributions, on both funds alike.
SWTSX vs VTSAX Performance
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund (SWTSX) is a mutual fund from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class (VTSAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SWTSX returned +10.18% while VTSAX returned +10.32%. Year to date, SWTSX is up 10.64% versus a gain of 9.84% for VTSAX.
Over three years, SWTSX compounded at -37.67% per year against +19.41% for VTSAX; over five years the annualized figures are -26.26% and +8.87% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SWTSX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.5% compared with 16.0% for VTSAX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -86.0% for SWTSX and -26.3% for VTSAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SWTSX charges 0.03% per year while VTSAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $4 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SWTSX currently yields 0.99% against 1.05% for VTSAX.
Holdings Overlap
96.8% of SWTSX's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns. 96.4% of VTSAX's money is in holdings SWTSX also owns.
Most of SWTSX is already inside VTSAX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
2,737 positions in common, counted across the 2,867 positions we hold weights for in SWTSX and 3,410 in VTSAX, against full books of 2,892 and 3,517.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 11 positions for VTSAX that do not appear in our book for SWTSX (0.6% of the fund), and 9 for SWTSX that do not appear in VTSAX (0.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in SWTSX | Weight in VTSAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.16% | 7.13% | 0.03% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.23% | 6.63% | 0.40% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.05% | 5.20% | 0.15% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.40% | 3.30% | 0.10% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.66% | 2.76% | 0.10% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.35% | 2.28% | 0.07% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.12% | 2.18% | 0.06% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.68% | 2.18% | 0.50% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.45% | 1.64% | 0.19% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.39% | 1.37% | 0.02% |
96.8% of SWTSX is already inside VTSAX.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SWTSX or VTSAX?
SWTSX has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VTSAX charges 0.04%. SWTSX is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SWTSX or VTSAX?
Over the past year SWTSX returned +10.18% vs +10.32% for VTSAX, so VTSAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SWTSX or VTSAX?
SWTSX has been the more volatile fund at 41.5% annualized versus 16.0% for VTSAX. Worst drawdown: SWTSX -86.0% vs VTSAX -26.3%.
Should I hold both SWTSX and VTSAX?
SWTSX and VTSAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SWTSX and VTSAX?
96.8% of SWTSX's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns. 96.4% of VTSAX's is in holdings SWTSX also owns. They hold 2,737 positions in common, counted across the 2,867 positions we hold weights for in SWTSX and 3,410 in VTSAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, SWTSX or VTSAX?
SWTSX yields 0.99% while VTSAX yields 1.05%, so VTSAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTSAX better than SWTSX?
SWTSX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SWTSX is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 34.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.