VTIAX vs VTSAX
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, VTIAX or VTSAX?
VTSAX has been ahead.
VTSAX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | VTIAX | VTSAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $101.6B | $480.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 1.05% |
| Holdings | 8,855 | 3,517 |
| YTD Price Return | +8.01% | +9.84%Best |
| 1Y Price Return | +10.05% | +10.32%Best |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +15.51% | +19.41%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +4.59% | +8.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -31.4% | -26.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,516 | $15,295Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 29, 2010 | Nov 13, 2000 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Returns are price returns and exclude distributions, because our data feed carries no adjusted close for VTIAX or VTSAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VTIAX yields 2.38% 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).
VTIAX 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.
VTIAX vs VTSAX Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral (VTIAX) 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 VTIAX returned +10.05% while VTSAX returned +10.32%. Year to date, VTIAX is up 8.01% versus a gain of 9.84% for VTSAX.
Over three years, VTIAX compounded at +15.51% per year against +19.41% for VTSAX; over five years the annualized figures are +4.59% 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 15.7% for VTIAX. 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 -31.4% for VTIAX 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 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTIAX charges 0.09% per year while VTSAX charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $4 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTIAX currently yields 2.38% against 1.05% for VTSAX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VTSAX's money is in holdings VTIAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTIAX, our book for it covers 89.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
18 positions in common, counted across the 8,425 positions we hold weights for in VTIAX and 3,410 in VTSAX, against full books of 8,855 and 3,517.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTIAX | Weight in VTSAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WCN:CAWaste Connections Inc Common Stock Cad 0 | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| SUNBSunbelt Rentals | 0.06% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| SRESempra Common Stock | 0.00% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| RAILFreightcar America Inc | 0.05% | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| JHXJames Hardie Industr | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| RBARitchie Brothers Auctioneers, Inc. | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| HALHalliburton Co. | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| FBKFb Financial Corp | 0.04% | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| SIG:LNSignet Jewelers Limited Common Shares | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| SGP:AUStockland Corp. Ltd. | 0.02% | 0.00% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTIAX and VTSAX you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VTIAX or VTSAX?
VTIAX has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTSAX charges 0.04%. VTSAX is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTIAX or VTSAX?
Over the past year VTIAX returned +10.05% 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, VTIAX or VTSAX?
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.7% for VTIAX. Worst drawdown: VTIAX -31.4% vs VTSAX -26.3%.
Should I hold both VTIAX and VTSAX?
VTIAX and VTSAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTIAX or VTSAX?
VTIAX yields 2.38% while VTSAX yields 1.05%, so VTIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTSAX better than VTIAX?
VTSAX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.