Direct Answer
VTI is the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF, an open-end ETF that tracks the Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index rather than the S&P 500. Vanguard reported a 0.03% expense ratio as of April 28, 2026, and 3,515 holdings as of July 31, 2026. VTI launched on May 24, 2001. Unlike SPY, VOO and IVV, VTI includes small- and mid-cap U.S. stocks, providing exposure to the broad U.S. equity market rather than only large-cap stocks.
Source: Vanguard, Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). verified September 7, 2026. This profile does not constitute a recommendation.
Fund Snapshot (as of September 2026)
| Fact | Value | As of / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF | Vanguard product page |
| Ticker | VTI | NYSE Arca listing |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Vanguard product page |
| Structure | Open-end ETF / ETF share class | Vanguard / SEC filings |
| Benchmark | Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index | Vanguard product page |
| Inception date | May 24, 2001 | Vanguard product page |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | Apr 28, 2026: Vanguard |
| Number of holdings | 3,515 | Jul 31, 2026: Vanguard |
What does VTI track?
VTI is the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. It tracks the Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index, which covers the entire investable U.S. equity market including large-, mid-, small- and micro-cap stocks. Vanguard reported 3,515 holdings as of July 31, 2026. This is substantially broader than the approximately 500 stocks in the S&P 500 Index tracked by SPY, VOO, and IVV.
The Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index is maintained by Morningstar and covers the near-entirety of U.S. exchange-listed equity market capitalization. Because VTI holds thousands of stocks rather than a concentrated large-cap selection, it provides exposure to small-cap companies that may grow into large-caps over time, a characteristic sometimes cited by investors who prefer total market exposure.
How does VTI differ from VOO?
VTI tracks the Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index (3,515 holdings as of July 31, 2026) while VOO tracks the S&P 500 Index (505 holdings as of July 31, 2026). VTI includes small- and mid-cap stocks that VOO excludes. Both share the same 0.03% expense ratio as of April 28, 2026 and both use the open-end ETF share class structure.
VTI's broader exposure means its performance can diverge from VOO when small-cap stocks outperform or underperform large-caps. Over many historical periods, the performance differences have been moderate because large-cap stocks dominate both indexes by market-cap weighting, but small-cap stocks can exhibit more pronounced cycles independent of large-cap trends. Neither fund's historical outperformance guarantees future relative returns.
VTI's expense ratio and cost
Vanguard reported a 0.03% expense ratio for VTI as of April 28, 2026. On a hypothetical constant $10,000 balance that is approximately $3 per year in fund-level expenses before market movement. As with Vanguard's other ETF share classes, VTI shares Vanguard's mutual ownership structure and securities lending income, which helps maintain a low expense ratio over time. Verify the current figure in Vanguard's product page or the fund's prospectus.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does VTI track?
- VTI is the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF. It tracks the Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index, which covers the entire investable U.S. equity market including large-, mid-, small- and micro-cap stocks. Vanguard reported 3,515 holdings as of July 31, 2026. This is substantially broader than the approximately 500 stocks in the S&P 500 Index tracked by SPY, VOO, and IVV.
- What is VTI's expense ratio?
- Vanguard reported a 0.03% expense ratio for VTI as of April 28, 2026. On a hypothetical constant $10,000 balance that is approximately $3 per year in fund-level expenses before market movement. Verify the current figure in Vanguard's product page or the fund's prospectus.
- How does VTI differ from VOO?
- VTI tracks the Morningstar U.S. Total Market Index (3,515 holdings as of July 31, 2026) while VOO tracks the S&P 500 Index (505 holdings as of July 31, 2026). VTI includes small- and mid-cap stocks that VOO excludes. Both share the same 0.03% expense ratio as of April 28, 2026 and both use the open-end ETF share class structure. VTI's broader exposure means its performance can diverge from VOO when small-cap stocks outperform or underperform large-caps.
- When did VTI launch?
- VTI launched on May 24, 2001. The fund's underlying mutual fund, Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, has a longer history; the ETF share class launched in 2001.
References
- Vanguard, Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). primary fund facts page, verified September 7, 2026.
- SEC EDGAR, EDGAR Search, prospectus and filing verification.