TOK vs VTI
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, TOK or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. TOK is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%.
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 | TOK | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $241M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.29% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 1,103 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +11.43% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.70% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.21% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.67% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -56.6% | -54.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,365 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.5%Best | 33.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 10, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (18.8 years).
TOK vs VTI 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
TOK vs VTI Performance
iShares MSCI Kokusai ETF (TOK) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TOK returned +15.70% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, TOK is up 11.43% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, TOK compounded at +21.21% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +11.67% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.50% annualized vs +6.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TOK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.4% compared with 16.1% for VTI. 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 -56.6% for TOK and -54.5% for VTI. 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
TOK charges 0.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $3 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TOK currently yields 1.29% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
77.1% of TOK's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 89.1% of VTI's money is in holdings TOK also owns.
Most of VTI is already inside TOK. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
499 positions in common, counted across the 1,057 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 1,103 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 666 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for TOK (9.0% of the fund), and 17 for TOK that do not appear in VTI (1.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in TOK | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 6.24% | 6.88% | 0.64% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.70% | 6.30% | 0.60% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.25% | 5.11% | 0.86% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.82% | 3.41% | 0.59% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc Cap Stk Cl A | 2.33% | 2.70% | 0.37% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.82% | 2.38% | 0.56% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc Class C | 1.84% | 2.12% | 0.28% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.87% | 1.70% | 0.17% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.46% | 1.46% | 0.00% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 1.19% | 1.40% | 0.21% |
89.1% of VTI is already inside TOK.
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, TOK or VTI?
TOK has an expense ratio of 0.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TOK or VTI?
Over the past year TOK returned +15.70% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), TOK annualized +6.79% vs +9.50% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TOK or VTI?
TOK has been the more volatile fund at 16.4% annualized versus 16.1% for VTI. Worst drawdown: TOK -56.6% vs VTI -54.5%.
Should I hold both TOK and VTI?
TOK and VTI 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 TOK and VTI?
89.1% of VTI's money is in holdings TOK also owns. 89.1% of VTI's is in holdings TOK also owns. They hold 499 positions in common, counted across the 1,057 positions we hold weights for in TOK and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, TOK or VTI?
TOK yields 1.29% while VTI yields 1.06%, so TOK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than TOK?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. TOK is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.