
The Vanguard Total Market Index ETF is a popular choice for investors looking to diversify their portfolios. It tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, which includes over 3,000 stocks.
This ETF has a low expense ratio of 0.04%, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors. The fund holds a diverse range of stocks, including small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap companies.
The Vanguard Total Market Index ETF has a long history, with its inception dating back to 2001. It has a strong track record of performance, with a 10-year average annual return of around 14%.
Performance
The Vanguard Total Market Index ETF is a low-cost index fund that tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index, which includes nearly all publicly traded US stocks, covering about 99.5% of the US market's capitalization.
It has a very low expense ratio of 0.04%, making it one of the cheapest index funds available.
This low cost is due to Vanguard's business model, which focuses on minimizing costs for investors, not maximizing profits.
Historical Performance

In the past, performance was often measured by how well a system could handle a single, high-demand task. This was the case in the early days of computing, where mainframes were designed to handle large batches of data at once.
The first supercomputer, Seymour Cray's CRAY-1, was released in 1976 and could perform 250 million calculations per second. This was a significant improvement over earlier computers, which could only perform a few thousand calculations per second.
In the 1980s, the introduction of the microprocessor led to the development of personal computers that could perform tasks much faster than their predecessors. The Intel 8088 processor, used in the first IBM PC, could execute 140,000 instructions per second.
The 1990s saw the rise of the internet and the development of web servers, which required fast and reliable performance to handle multiple users at once. The Apache web server, released in 1995, was designed to handle high traffic and could serve up to 10,000 requests per second.
Today, performance is still a critical factor in computing, but it's no longer just about raw processing power. Modern systems must also be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and adapt to changing demands.
Net Income Ratio
When evaluating the performance of a fund, one key metric to consider is the Net Income Ratio. For VTSAX, this ratio is 1.30%.
This means that for every dollar invested, the fund generates 1.30% in net income. This is a relatively low ratio compared to other funds in the category.
To put this into perspective, the lowest ratio in the category is -54.00%, which is a significant concern. On the other hand, the highest ratio in the category is 2.44%, which is a more desirable outcome.
Here's a breakdown of the Net Income Ratio for VTSAX and its category:
Vtsax Expenses
The expense ratio of VTSAX is 0.04%, which is significantly lower than the industry average.
This low expense ratio means that you get to keep more of your investment returns, which can add up over time.
As of the most recent update, the net expense ratio of VTSAX is $0.0004 per $1,000 invested per year.
You can calculate your total expenses by multiplying the net expense ratio by your investment amount, for example, $0.0004 x $10,000 = $4 per year.
This transparency in expenses is one of the key benefits of investing in a low-cost index fund like VTSAX.
Concentration
Concentration is a key aspect of any investment portfolio, and the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index ETF (VTSAX) is no exception. With a net asset value of over $1.84 trillion, VTSAX has a significant amount of assets to manage.
The fund's concentration can be measured by looking at its number of holdings, which stands at 3669. This is a relatively large number of holdings, indicating that the fund is diversified across a wide range of stocks.
However, the fund's top 10 holdings account for a significant portion of its net assets, totaling over $525 billion. This is a significant concentration of assets, which may be a concern for investors seeking to minimize risk.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's concentration:
As you can see, the fund's concentration is a complex issue, with both high and low values depending on the category. However, it's worth noting that the fund's top 10 holdings account for only 29.96% of its net assets, which is relatively low compared to some other funds.
Geographic Breakdown
The Vanguard Total Market Index ETF (VTSAX) has a significant geographic breakdown, with the majority of its holdings located in the US.
A staggering 99.85% of VTSAX's holdings are based in the US, with the remaining 0.15% spread across non-US markets.
Breaking it down further, we can see that the US market has a return range of 0.00% to 105.79%, with a VTSAX % Rank of 9.21%. In contrast, non-US markets have a return range of 0.00% to 63.83%, with a VTSAX % Rank of 78.67%.
Sector Breakdown
Let's take a closer look at the sector breakdown of the VTSAX fund. The Technology sector accounts for 23.78% of the fund's weighting, with a return range of 0.00% to 48.94%. This sector has a VTSAX % Rank of 56.30%.
The Healthcare sector is a close second, making up 14.10% of the fund's weighting. Its return range is equally impressive, spanning from 0.00% to 52.29%. This sector's VTSAX % Rank is 62.81%.
Here's a breakdown of the fund's sector allocation:
Geographic Breakdown

The geographic breakdown of an investment can be a crucial factor in its overall performance. The US market holds a significant weighting of 99.85% in the VTSAX fund.
The majority of the fund's return comes from the US market, with a return low of 0.00% and a return high of 105.79%. This suggests that the US market is a relatively stable and consistent contributor to the fund's returns.
Non-US markets, on the other hand, hold a much smaller weighting of 0.00% in the VTSAX fund. However, they have shown a higher return potential, with a return high of 63.83% and a VTSAX % rank of 78.67%.
Here's a breakdown of the geographic weighting in the VTSAX fund:
Dividends
When investing in the Vanguard Total Market Index ETF, it's essential to understand the dividend strategy. The fund's dividend yield is relatively low, at 1.30%, which is significantly lower than the category high of 25.47%.
The dividend distribution frequency is quarterly, which is consistent with many other funds in the category.
The dividend yield ranks 45.34% in its category, indicating that it's not the highest-yielding fund, but still a competitive option.
Here's a brief comparison of the dividend yield to the category low and high:
The low dividend yield may be a drawback for some investors, but it's essential to consider the overall investment strategy and goals before making a decision.
Distributions and Capital Gains
Vanguard Total Market Index ETFs, like VTSAX, distribute capital gains to shareholders.
The frequency of capital gain distributions varies among Vanguard ETFs, with some distributing annually and others semi-annually.
Here's a breakdown of the capital gain distribution frequency for some Vanguard ETFs:
Dividend Distribution
Let's talk about dividend distribution. Some funds distribute dividends quarterly, while others may do so annually. For example, VTSAX pays out dividends quarterly.
The frequency of dividend distribution can vary across different funds. Here's a comparison of VTSAX and other funds in the same category:
It's worth noting that some funds may have a more consistent dividend distribution schedule than others.
Capital Gain Distribution
Capital Gain Distribution is an important aspect to consider when it comes to your investments. You can expect to receive a distribution of capital gains from your fund annually.
The frequency of capital gain distribution varies depending on the fund. For example, VTSAX distributes capital gains annually.
Some funds may have a different distribution frequency. Category Low and Category High funds both distribute capital gains annually, but Category High funds may also distribute them semi-annually.
Capital Mode funds, like VTSAX, also distribute capital gains annually.
Here's a summary of the capital gain distribution frequencies for the funds mentioned:
Fund Information
Vanguard Total Market Index ETF is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc.
The fund invests in public equity markets of the United States, specifically in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.
The fund seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, using a representative sampling technique to achieve this goal.
Vanguard Total Market Index ETF was formed on April 27, 1992 and is domiciled in the United States.
Vtsax Fund Manager
The VTSAX fund manager is a team effort, led by William L. Coleman, who has been overseeing the fund since 2015. He's been with Vanguard since 2002, giving him a deep understanding of the company's investment philosophy.
The fund's investment approach is a key part of its success, focusing on long-term growth through a mix of stocks and bonds. This approach has helped the fund deliver consistent returns over the years.
William L. Coleman has a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Wharton School. His education and experience make him a well-rounded and knowledgeable fund manager.
As of 2022, the fund has a total of 25 holdings, with the top three holdings being Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet. This diversification helps to minimize risk and maximize returns.
The VTSAX fund has a low expense ratio of 0.04%, which is significantly lower than many other index funds. This means that investors can keep more of their money and earn higher returns.
Company Profile
The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is an exchange-traded fund launched and managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. It invests in public equity markets of the United States.
The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, including growth and value stocks of companies across various market capitalizations. It seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index.
This fund is a passive index fund, meaning it doesn't try to beat the market, but rather tracks its performance. It's a low-cost way to gain broad exposure to the US stock market.
The fund is known for its low costs, broad diversification, and potential for tax efficiency. It's established in 1992 and has nearly 4,000 constituents with capitalizations ranging from mega to large, small to micro.
The two sectors with the highest weighting in the fund's portfolio as of February 2022 are technology and consumer discretionary, with 27.7% and 15.3% respectively. Other sectors in the fund's portfolio include industrials, healthcare, and financial.
Here are the top 5 holdings in the fund as of February 2022:
The fund had total net assets of $1.3 trillion as of February 2022.
Market Index Fund
The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares was launched and managed by The Vanguard Group, Inc.
It invests in public equity markets of the United States, giving you a broad exposure to the US stock market.
The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors, which means you'll get a mix of different industries.
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares was formed on April 27, 1992, and is domiciled in the United States.
This fund seeks to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, by using a representative sampling technique.
The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund-Admiral Shares, also known as VTSAX, is another option from Vanguard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, VT or VTI?
VTI has historically outperformed VT, but VT has a lower expense ratio of 0.08% compared to VTI's 0.03%. Consider VTI for its performance advantage, but also explore international diversification options to balance your portfolio.
Sources
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/vanguard-total-stock-market-index-fund-etf-shares-us9229087690
- https://www.dividend.com/funds/vtsax-vanguard-total-stock-mkt-idx-adm/
- https://www.investing.com/etfs/vanguard-total-stkmkt
- https://capital.com/vanguard-total-stock-market-index-fund-etf-shares-share-price
- https://whalewisdom.com/stock/vtsax
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