TOK vs VTI
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TOK or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | TOK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $246M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,136 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +10.81% | +11.65%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.09% | +17.34%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.98% | +20.35%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.45% | +11.72%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6% | -54.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,195 | $17,404Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2007 to Sep 10, 2026 (18.7 years).
TOK vs VTI 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 18.7 years both funds cover.
TOK vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TOK returned +17.09% while VTI returned +17.34%. Year to date, TOK is up 10.81% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTI.
Over three years, TOK compounded at +19.98% per year against +20.35% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.45% and +11.72% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.47% annualized vs +6.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TOK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 16.1% for VTI. 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 -56.6% for TOK and -54.5% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TOK charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TOK currently yields 1.27% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 72.9% of TOK's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTI, our book for it covers 90.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of TOK is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
433 positions in common, counted across the 892 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,136 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TOK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.32% | 6.32% | 1.00% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.41% | 5.84% | 0.43% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.22% | 3.81% | 0.59% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.79% | 3.17% | 0.38% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 2.51% | 2.88% | 0.37% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.98% | 2.46% | 0.48% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 1.99% | 2.27% | 0.28% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.31% | 1.79% | 0.48% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.39% | 1.63% | 0.24% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co. | 1.14% | 1.40% | 0.26% |
72.9% of TOK is already inside VTI.
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, TOK or VTI?
TOK has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TOK or VTI?
Over the past year TOK returned +17.09% vs +17.34% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), TOK annualized +6.80% vs +9.47% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TOK or VTI?
TOK has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TOK -56.6% vs VTI -54.5%.
Should I hold both TOK and VTI?
TOK and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between TOK and VTI?
At least 72.9% of TOK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. Our book for VTI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 433 positions in common, counted across the 892 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 2,787 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TOK or VTI?
TOK yields 1.27% while VTI yields 1.03%, so TOK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TOK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.