Get comparisons, analyses and forecasts for stocks, ETFs & funds
25 important things you should know about Vanguard VTSMX mutual fund
- High net assets
- 3-year return above the benchmark
- 5-year return above the benchmark
- 10-year return above the benchmark
- 15-year return above the benchmark
- Low expense ratio
- No sales load or distribution fees
- No Bear case arguments for now!
Before we start: if you’re looking for VTSMX “stock” price, you can quickly find it out by visiting Finny and typing "VTSMX quote". If you’re looking for a quick scoop on VTSMX "stock" (price chart, key stats, buy or sell analysis and holdings), go to Finny and look for "VTSMX". You’ll get all this info in one place.
Are you looking to buy or sell VTSMX? Or perhaps you’re looking for VTSMX fact sheet, and learn about its alternatives? If so, you came to the right place.
In this VTSMX mutual fund review, we’ll address key questions our readers have been asking us about this fund, above and beyond what you can find in its prospectus, and on Morningstar or Yahoo Finance.
Here is what you’ll be able to find in this review:
- Fact Sheet: VTSMX performance, returns, expense ratio, holdings and dividend yield;
- Analysis: VTSMX buy or sell; the pros and cons of investing in VTSMX mutual fund;
- Alternatives: other ETFs and mutual funds you should consider as alternatives to VTSMX.
And here is the list of questions we’ll answer:
- Describe Vanguard Index Funds: Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund; Investor Class Shares (VTSMX).
- What are VTSMX holdings?
- What is VTSMX performance? What are VTSMX historical returns?
- How many up and down years did VTSMX have historically?
- What is VTSMX dividend yield?
- What is VTSMX minimum initial investment amount?
- What is VTSMX expense ratio?
- Does VTSMX have any sales loads or 12b-1 distribution expenses?
- What is VTSMX tax efficiency (tax-cost ratio)?
- What is VTSMX beta? How would you assess VTSMX risk?
- What is VTSMX Sharpe ratio?
- What is VTSMX Finny Score? VTSMX buy or sell?
- What are the pros of investing in VTSMX? What are VTSMX buy reasons?
- What are the cons of investing in VTSMX? What are VTSMX sell reasons?
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VTSAX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VTI.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs SPY.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VOO.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VFIAX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs SWTSX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VFINX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs FSKAX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VITSX.
- Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VSMAX.
So let’s start. Scroll down to the question that interests you the most.
Fact Sheet
1. Describe Vanguard Index Funds: Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund; Investor Class Shares (VTSMX).
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall stock market. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. The Fund invests by holding a collection of securities that approximates the Index.
2. What are VTSMX top holdings?
VTSMX has 3,588 stock holdings and 2 bond holdings.
The top 10 holdings represent 23.05% of total assets. Here are the top holdings:
Name | Symbol | % Assets |
---|---|---|
Apple Inc | AAPL | 5.36% |
Microsoft Corp | MSFT | 4.78% |
Amazon.com Inc | AMZN | 4.03% |
Facebook Inc A | FB | 1.89% |
Alphabet Inc A | GOOGL | 1.32% |
Alphabet Inc Class C | GOOG | 1.25% |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class B | BRK.B | 1.19% |
Johnson & Johnson | JNJ | 1.18% |
Procter & Gamble Co | PG | 1.04% |
Visa Inc Class A | V | 1.01% |
3. What is VTSMX performance? What are VTSMX historical returns?
VTSMX has generated the following returns:
- 1-month return is 4.40%;
- 3-month return is 14.31%;
- 1-year return is 14.31%;
- 3-year return is 13.45%;
- 5-year return is 18.25%;
- 10-year return is 13.78%;
- 15-year return is 10.07%.
4. How many up and down years did VTSMX have historically?
In the last 10 years, VTSMX had 8 up years and 1 down year.

5. What is VTSMX dividend yield?
VTSMX yield is 1.33%.
6. What is VTSMX minimum initial investment amount?
VTSMX minimum initial investment amount is $3.00K.
7. What is VTSMX expense ratio?
VTSMX expense ratio is 0.14%. The expense ratio of a fund is the total percentage of fund assets used for administrative, management, and all other expenses.

8. Does VTSMX have any sales loads or 12b-1 distribution expenses?
VTSMX 12b-1 distribution fee is 0. VTSMX front-end sales load is 0. VTSMX back-end sales load is 0.
9. What is VTSMX tax efficiency (tax-cost ratio)?
- 1-year ax cost ratio is 0.4%;
- 3-year ax cost ratio is 0.47%.

10. What is VTSMX beta? How would you assess VTSMX risk?
- 3-year beta is 1.04;
- 5-year beta is 1.05;
- 10-year beta is 1.04;
- 15-year beta is 1.03.

Analysis
12. What is Finny Score? buy or sell?
Finny Score is 100. Our quantitative analysis shows 7 reasons to buy and 0 reasons to sell it, resulting in the Finny Score of 100.
13. What are the pros of investing in VTSMX? What are VTSMX buy reasons?
The following are VTSMX strengths from our perspective:
- VTSMX net assets are $153.84 billion. This fund is a popular choice with retail and institutional investors.
- VTSMX 3-year return is 13.45%, which is in line with the 3-year return of the benchmark index (CRSP US Total Market TR USD), 13.58%.
- VTSMX 5-year return is 18.25%, which is in line with the 5-year return of the benchmark index (CRSP US Total Market TR USD), 18.39%.
- VTSMX 10-year return is 13.78%, which is in line with the 10-year return of the benchmark index (CRSP US Total Market TR USD), 14.13%.
- VTSMX 15-year return is 10.07%, which is in line with the 15-year return of the benchmark index (CRSP US Total Market TR USD), 10.39%.
- VTSMX expense ratio is 0.14%, which is considered low. Nice job picking a low-cost fund.
- Good news: this fund does not have 12b1, front-end or back-end sales fees.
14. What are the cons of investing in VTSMX? What are VTSMX negatives?
There are no visible red flags.
Alternatives
15. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VTSAX.
Both VTSMX and VTSAX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a lower 5-year return than VTSAX (18.25% vs 18.37%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VTSAX (0.14% vs 0.04%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VTSAX.
VTSMX | VTSAX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Large Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $273.62B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.04% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 3.48% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 14.33% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 13.57% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 18.37% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.9% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.41% |
VTSAX profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall stock market. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. The Fund invests by holding a collection of securities that approximates the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VTSAX comparison details.
16. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VTI.
VTSMX is a mutual fund, whereas VTI is an ETF. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than VTI (18.25% vs 17.92%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VTI (0.14% vs 0.03%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VTI.
VTSMX | VTI | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | Equity: U.S. - Total Market |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $202.07B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.03% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | CRSP US Total Market Index |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 3.21% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 21.29% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 13.54% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.92% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.94% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.42% |
VTI profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall stock market. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. The Fund invests by holding a collection of securities that approximates the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VTI comparison details.
17. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs SPY.
VTSMX is a mutual fund, whereas SPY is an ETF. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than SPY (18.25% vs 17.23%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than SPY (0.14% vs 0.09%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and SPY.
VTSMX | SPY | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | Equity: U.S. - Large Cap |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $329.02B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.09% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | S&P 500 |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 2.41% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 17.75% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 12.75% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.23% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.8% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.52% |
SPY profile: The Trust seeks investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component common stocks of the S&P 500 Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs SPY comparison details.
18. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VOO.
VTSMX is a mutual fund, whereas VOO is an ETF. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than VOO (18.25% vs 17.3%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VOO (0.14% vs 0.03%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VOO.
VTSMX | VOO | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | Equity: U.S. - Large Cap |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $177.99B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.03% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | S&P 500 |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 2.39% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 17.65% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 12.79% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.3% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.86% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.54% |
VOO profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of its benchmark index, the S&P 500. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index with the same approximate weightings as the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VOO comparison details.
19. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VFIAX.
Both VTSMX and VFIAX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than VFIAX (18.25% vs 17.77%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VFIAX (0.14% vs 0.04%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VFIAX.
VTSMX | VFIAX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Large Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $359.55B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.04% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 2.73% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 11.7% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 12.85% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.77% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.84% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.53% |
VFIAX profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of its benchmark index, the S&P 500. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index with the same approximate weightings as the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VFIAX comparison details.
20. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs SWTSX.
Both VTSMX and SWTSX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a lower 5-year return than SWTSX (18.25% vs 18.26%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than SWTSX (0.14% vs 0.03%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and SWTSX.
VTSMX | SWTSX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Large Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $13.73B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.03% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 3.51% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 14.4% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 13.46% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 18.26% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.84% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.63% |
SWTSX profile: The Fund seeks to track the total return of the entire U.S. stock market as measured by the Wilshire 5000 Equity Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs SWTSX comparison details.
21. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VFINX.
Both VTSMX and VFINX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than VFINX (18.25% vs 17.65%). VTSMX and VFINX have the same expense ratio (0.14%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VFINX.
VTSMX | VFINX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Large Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $4.50B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.14% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 2.72% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 11.67% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 12.74% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.65% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.72% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.45% |
VFINX profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of its benchmark index, the S&P 500. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index with the same approximate weightings as the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VFINX comparison details.
22. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs FSKAX.
Both VTSMX and FSKAX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a lower 5-year return than FSKAX (18.25% vs 18.34%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than FSKAX (0.14% vs 0.02%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and FSKAX.
VTSMX | FSKAX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $57.71B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.02% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | N/A |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 3.5% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 14.4% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 13.5% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 18.34% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.84% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.45% |
FSKAX profile: The Fund seeks to provide investment results corresponding to the total return of a broad range of United States stocks. The Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks included in the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index, which represents the performance of a broad range of U.S. stocks.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs FSKAX comparison details.
23. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VITSX.
Both VTSMX and VITSX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a lower 5-year return than VITSX (18.25% vs 18.38%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VITSX (0.14% vs 0.03%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VITSX.
VTSMX | VITSX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Large Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $180.59B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.03% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 3.49% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 14.34% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 13.58% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 18.38% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 13.91% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.42% |
VITSX profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall stock market. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. The Fund invests by holding a collection of securities that approximates the Index.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VITSX comparison details.
24. Compare and contrast: VTSMX vs VSMAX.
Both VTSMX and VSMAX are mutual funds. VTSMX has a higher 5-year return than VSMAX (18.25% vs 17.89%). VTSMX has a higher expense ratio than VSMAX (0.14% vs 0.05%). Below is the comparison between VTSMX and VSMAX.
VTSMX | VSMAX | |
---|---|---|
Segment | U.S. Equity: Large Blend | U.S. Equity: Small Blend |
Net Assets | $153.84B | $47.31B |
Expense Ratio | 0.14% | 0.05% |
Management Style | passive (index-based) | passive (index-based) |
Underlying Index | N/A | N/A |
YTD Return | 3.48% | 6.83% |
1-Year Return | 14.31% | 25.35% |
3-Year Return | 13.45% | 12.05% |
5-Year Return | 18.25% | 17.89% |
10-Year Return | 13.78% | 12.7% |
Dividend Yield | 1.33% | 1.14% |
VSMAX profile: The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small-capitalization stocks. The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Index, a broadly diversified index of stocks of small U.S. companies.
For further information, check out VTSMX vs VSMAX comparison details.