VFIAX vs VTSAX
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, VFIAX or VTSAX?
Each has led over a different period.
VFIAX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTSAX over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTSAX is less concentrated, with 34.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%.
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 | VFIAX | VTSAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Tie | 0.04%Tie |
| AUM | $686.0B | $480.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 508 | 3,517 |
| YTD Price Return | +9.70% | +9.84%Best |
| 1Y Price Return | +10.04% | +10.32%Best |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +19.50%Best | +19.41% |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +9.93%Best | +8.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.4%Best | -26.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,054Best | $15,295 |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.1% | 34.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2000 | Nov 13, 2000 |
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for VFIAX or VTSAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VFIAX yields 1.06% 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).
VFIAX 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.
VFIAX vs VTSAX Performance
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Class (VFIAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class (VTSAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VFIAX returned +10.04% while VTSAX returned +10.32%. Year to date, VFIAX is up 9.70% versus a gain of 9.84% for VTSAX.
Over three years, VFIAX compounded at +19.50% per year against +19.41% for VTSAX; over five years the annualized figures are +9.93% and +8.87% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 15.5% for VFIAX. 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 -25.4% for VFIAX 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VFIAX charges 0.04% per year while VTSAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $4 annually. On income, VFIAX currently yields 1.06% against 1.05% for VTSAX.
Holdings Overlap
100.0% of VFIAX's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns. 88.1% of VTSAX's money is in holdings VFIAX also owns.
Most of VFIAX is already inside VTSAX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
501 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VFIAX and 3,410 in VTSAX, against full books of 508 and 3,517.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 626 positions for VTSAX that do not appear in our book for VFIAX (8.8% of the fund), and 2 for VFIAX that do not appear in VTSAX (0.1%).
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 VFIAX | Weight in VTSAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.39% | 7.13% | 1.26% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.38% | 6.63% | 0.75% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.78% | 5.20% | 0.58% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.71% | 3.30% | 0.41% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.07% | 2.76% | 0.31% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.54% | 2.28% | 0.26% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.45% | 2.18% | 0.27% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.43% | 2.18% | 0.25% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.83% | 1.64% | 0.19% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.52% | 1.37% | 0.15% |
100.0% of VFIAX 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, VFIAX or VTSAX?
VFIAX has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTSAX charges 0.04%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VFIAX or VTSAX?
Over the past year VFIAX returned +10.04% 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, VFIAX or VTSAX?
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.5% for VFIAX. Worst drawdown: VFIAX -25.4% vs VTSAX -26.3%.
Should I hold both VFIAX and VTSAX?
VFIAX and VTSAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, 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 VFIAX and VTSAX?
100.0% of VFIAX's money is in holdings VTSAX also owns. 88.1% of VTSAX's is in holdings VFIAX also owns. They hold 501 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in VFIAX and 3,410 in VTSAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, VFIAX or VTSAX?
VFIAX yields 1.06% while VTSAX yields 1.05%, so VFIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTSAX better than VFIAX?
VFIAX led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VTSAX over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. VTSAX is less concentrated, with 34.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 39.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.