VTSAX vs VTWAX
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class vs Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Class
Which is better, VTSAX or VTWAX?
Nearly the same fund. VTSAX costs less.
VTSAX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX 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 | VTSAX | VTWAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.09% |
| AUM | $480.6B | $12.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.05% | 1.53% |
| Holdings | 3,517 | 10,342 |
| YTD Price Return | +9.84%Best | +9.01% |
| 1Y Price Return | +10.32%Best | +10.06% |
| 3Y Price Return (annualized) | +19.41%Best | +17.88% |
| 5Y Price Return (annualized) | +8.87%Best | +7.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3%Best | -27.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,295Best | $14,223 |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2000 | 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 VTSAX or VTWAX. Both funds are measured the same way, so the comparison holds. VTSAX yields 1.05% and VTWAX 1.53% on top.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2021 to Nov 10, 2026 (5 years).
VTSAX 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.
VTSAX vs VTWAX Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Class (VTSAX) 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 VTSAX returned +10.32% while VTWAX returned +10.06%. Year to date, VTSAX is up 9.84% versus a gain of 9.01% for VTWAX.
Over three years, VTSAX compounded at +19.41% per year against +17.88% for VTWAX; over five years the annualized figures are +8.87% and +7.30% 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 15.0% 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 -26.3% for VTSAX and -27.9% 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VTSAX charges 0.04% per year while VTWAX charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $9 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VTSAX currently yields 1.05% against 1.53% for VTWAX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 96.3% of VTSAX's money is in holdings VTWAX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VTWAX, our book for it covers 92.0% 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 VTSAX is already inside VTWAX. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
1,451 positions in common, counted across the 3,410 positions we hold weights for in VTSAX and 9,634 in VTWAX, against full books of 3,517 and 10,342.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VTSAX | Weight in VTWAX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.13% | 4.52% | 2.61% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 6.63% | 4.08% | 2.55% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.20% | 3.23% | 1.97% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.30% | 2.05% | 1.25% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 2.76% | 1.72% | 1.04% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.28% | 1.39% | 0.89% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.18% | 1.35% | 0.83% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.18% | 1.35% | 0.83% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.64% | 1.02% | 0.62% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.37% | 0.88% | 0.49% |
96.3% of VTSAX is already inside VTWAX.
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, VTSAX or VTWAX?
VTSAX has an expense ratio of 0.04% while VTWAX charges 0.09%. VTSAX is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VTSAX or VTWAX?
Over the past year VTSAX returned +10.32% vs +10.06% for VTWAX, so VTSAX leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VTSAX or VTWAX?
VTSAX has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 15.0% for VTWAX. Worst drawdown: VTSAX -26.3% vs VTWAX -27.9%.
Should I hold both VTSAX and VTWAX?
VTSAX and VTWAX 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 VTSAX and VTWAX?
At least 96.3% of VTSAX's money is in holdings VTWAX also owns. Our book for VTWAX is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1,451 positions in common, counted across the 3,410 positions we hold weights for in VTSAX and 9,634 in VTWAX.
Which pays a higher dividend, VTSAX or VTWAX?
VTSAX yields 1.05% while VTWAX yields 1.53%, so VTWAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTWAX better than VTSAX?
VTSAX has a lower expense ratio. VTSAX 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.