Over the trailing five-year window, VTSAX and VTI moved almost in lockstep (daily-return correlation 1.00), so holding both adds little diversification.
Five-year annualized total returns were within 0.0 percentage points of each other (VTSAX 12.2%, VTI 12.2%).
On cost, VTI is cheaper — 0.03% versus 0.04% for VTSAX.
The numbers, side by side
Per-fund metrics. Returns are total return (dividends reinvested, net of fees); volatility, drawdown and correlation are computed from daily closing prices over the trailing five-year window ending Aug 7, 2026.
| Metric | VTSAX | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| 5-yr annualized returntotal return, incl. dividends & fees | 12.2% | 12.2% |
| 5-yr annualized volatilitystandard deviation of daily returns | 17.5% | 17.6% |
| Max drawdown (5-yr window)worst peak-to-trough decline | -26.2% | -26.2% |
| Return per unit of riskSharpe-style, 4.7% risk-free | 0.43 | 0.43 |
| Expense ratioannual fund cost | 0.04% | 0.03% |
How similar are they?
| Relationship metric | VTSAX & VTI |
|---|---|
| Correlation of daily returns5-yr; 1.00 = moves identically | 1.00 |
| Sector overlapΣ min(weight) across sectors | 100.0% |
Where each fund is concentrated
VTSAX — top sectors
- Technology36.07%
- Financial Services11.76%
- Industrials10.15%
VTI — top sectors
- Technology36.07%
- Financial Services11.76%
- Industrials10.15%
Go deeper
For the full write-up, read VTI vs VOO vs VXUS: Building a Simple Three-Fund Portfolio.
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Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or tax advice. The information presented reflects the author's opinions and analysis at the time of writing and may not be suitable for your individual circumstances. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. MinMaxDoc and its authors are not registered investment advisors.
Figures computed by MinMaxDoc from historical market data as of Aug 7, 2026; they will drift as markets move.
Figures computed by MinMaxDoc from historical market data as of Aug 7, 2026; they will drift as markets move.