VTIAX vs VTWAX
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral vs Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, VTIAX or VTWAX?
Each has led over a different period.
VTIAX led over 1Y, VTWAX over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | VTWAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Tie | 0.09%Tie |
| AUM | $102.0B | $12.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.47% | 1.52% |
| Holdings | 8,762 | 10,039 |
| YTD Price Return | +13.05%Best | +11.65% |
| 1Y Price Return | +19.18%Best | +17.03% |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +15.98% | +17.72%Best |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +5.38% | +8.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.0% | -28.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,995 | $14,926Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 29, 2010 | Feb 7, 2019 |
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 VTWAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VTIAX yields 2.47% and VTWAX 1.52% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2021 to Sep 10, 2026 (5 years).
VTIAX vs VTWAX 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 VTWAX Performance
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral (VTIAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Class (VTWAX) is a mutual fund from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VTIAX returned +19.18% while VTWAX returned +17.03%. Year to date, VTIAX is up 13.05% versus a gain of 11.65% for VTWAX.
Over three years, VTIAX compounded at +15.98% per year against +17.72% for VTWAX; over five years the annualized figures are +5.38% and +8.34% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTIAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.6% compared with 15.1% for VTWAX. 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 -32.0% for VTIAX and -28.0% for VTWAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTIAX charges 0.09% per year while VTWAX charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $9 annually. On income, VTIAX currently yields 2.47% against 1.52% for VTWAX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8,500 holdings in VTIAX and 9,796 in VTWAX, totalling 91.0% and 89.4% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 7,873 positions appear in both.
7,873 positions in common, counted across the 8,500 positions we hold weights for in VTIAX and 9,796 in VTWAX, against full books of 8,762 and 10,039.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTIAX | Weight in VTWAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2330:TWTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd | 3.24% | 1.25% | 1.99% |
| ASML:ASAsml Holding N.V. | 1.36% | 0.52% | 0.84% |
| 0700:HKTencent Holdings Ltd | 1.15% | 0.44% | 0.71% |
| 9988:HKAlibaba Group Holding Limited Ordinary Shares | 0.92% | 0.35% | 0.57% |
| 000660:KRSk Hynix | 0.81% | 0.31% | 0.50% |
| HSBA:LNHsbc Holdings Plc | 0.73% | 0.28% | 0.45% |
| NOVN:SMNovartis Ag Ordinary Shares | 0.69% | 0.26% | 0.43% |
| AZN:LNAstrazeneca Plc | 0.67% | 0.26% | 0.41% |
| ROG:SMRoche Holding Ag | 0.77% | 0.04% | 0.73% |
| 7203:JPToyota Motor Corp | 0.58% | 0.22% | 0.36% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VTIAX and VTWAX 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 VTWAX?
VTIAX has an expense ratio of 0.09% while VTWAX charges 0.09%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, VTIAX or VTWAX?
Over the past year VTIAX returned +19.18% vs +17.03% for VTWAX, so VTIAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTIAX or VTWAX?
VTIAX has been the more volatile fund at 15.6% annualized versus 15.1% for VTWAX. Worst drawdown: VTIAX -32.0% vs VTWAX -28.0%.
Should I hold both VTIAX and VTWAX?
VTIAX and VTWAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTIAX or VTWAX?
VTIAX yields 2.47% while VTWAX yields 1.52%, so VTIAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTWAX better than VTIAX?
VTIAX led over 1Y, VTWAX over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.