Subscribe

Lowest-cost exchange-traded funds

Core Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year…

Core



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Broad Market SCHB 0.04% 11.61% 13.49% 10.86% N/A $1,117.2
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap SCHX 0.04% 11.71% 13.63% 10.45% N/A $931.0
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund VTI 0.06% 11.75% 13.62% 10.86% 1.66% $23,288.1
Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap SCHM 0.07% 11.37% 13.04% N/A N/A $222.5
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap SCHA 0.10% 10.79% 12.26% 13.64% N/A $674.8
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund VV 0.10% 11.75% 13.61% 10.45% 1.41% $3,566.4
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund VO 0.10% 10.15% 11.06% 12.51% 2.18% $3,773.9
Guggenheim Invest Wilshire 5000 Total Market WFVK 0.12% 11.54% 13.34% N/A N/A $6.3
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund MGC 0.12% 12.08% 14.12% 10.00% N/A $455.5
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund VONE 0.12% 11.88% 13.73% N/A N/A $170.7

 

Growth



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth SCHG 0.07% 12.46% 12.13% N/A N/A $501.0
Vanguard Growth Index Fund VUG 0.10% 12.63% 13.01% 11.60% 3.06% $8,334.8
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund VOT 0.10% 9.84% 8.74% 12.80% 1.28% $1,183.3
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund VBK 0.10% 10.66% 11.60% 14.86% 3.90% $2,118.7
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund MGK 0.12% 13.21% 13.90% 11.31% N/A $926.5
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund VONG 0.15% 11.32% 12.00% N/A N/A $77.1
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund VOOG 0.15% 11.16% 12.46% N/A N/A $97.4
iShares S&P 500 Growth Index Fund IVW 0.18% 11.11% 12.41% 10.93% 3.14% $7,336.8
iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund IWF 0.20% 11.28% 11.95% 11.16% 2.66% $16,586.2
iShares Russell Top 200 Growth Index Fund IWY 0.20% 11.73% 12.80% 10.72% N/A $367.2
PowerShares QQQ Trust Series 1 QQQ 0.20% 14.42% 12.57% 14.02% 5.43% $34,766.4
SPDR S&P 500 Growth SPYG 0.20% 11.07% 12.36% 11.86% 3.34% $229.3
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund VTWG 0.20% 7.53% 9.09% N/A N/A $48.6
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund IVOG 0.20% 11.71% 11.38% N/A N/A $96.1
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund VIOG 0.20% 7.93% 11.05% N/A N/A $14.4

 

Large-cap



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap SCHX 0.04% 11.71% 13.63% 10.45% N/A $931.0
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value SCHV 0.07% 10.93% 14.95% N/A N/A $413.8
Vanguard Growth Index Fund VUG 0.10% 12.63% 13.01% 11.60% 3.06% $8,334.8
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund VV 0.10% 11.75% 13.61% 10.45% 1.41% $3,566.4
Vanguard Value Index Fund VTV 0.10% 10.86% 14.17% 9.26% -0.31% $6,599.1
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund MGK 0.12% 13.21% 13.90% 11.31% N/A $926.5
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund MGC 0.12% 12.08% 14.12% 10.00% N/A $455.5
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund MGV 0.12% 10.91% 14.28% 8.69% N/A $424.3
Vanguard Russell 1000 Index Fund VONE 0.12% 11.88% 13.73% N/A N/A $170.7
iShares MSCI USA Index Fund EUSA 0.15% 11.69% 13.56% N/A N/A $143.8
iShares Russell 1000 Index Fund IWB 0.15% 11.87% 13.70% 10.48% 1.27% $6,533.0
iShares Russell Top 200 Index Fund IWL 0.15% 12.03% 14.20% 9.56% N/A $55.1
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund VONG 0.15% 11.32% 12.00% N/A N/A $77.1
Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund VOOG 0.15% 11.16% 12.46% N/A N/A $97.4
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund VOOV 0.15% 12.33% 15.05% N/A N/A $53.5

 

Mid-cap



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Mid-Cap ETF SCHM 0.07% 11.37% 13.04% N/A N/A $222.5
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund VOT 0.10% 9.84% 8.74% 12.80% 1.28% $1,183.3
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund VO 0.10% 10.15% 11.06% 12.51% 2.18% $3,773.9
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund VOE 0.10% 10.46% 13.34% 12.08% 2.78% $1,058.9
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund VXF 0.14% 11.38% 12.91% 13.18% 2.93% $1,394.1
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index Fund IVOO 0.17% 11.60% 12.77% N/A N/A $73.1
Guggenheim Invest Wilshire 4500 Completion WXSP 0.18% 11.19% 12.68% N/A N/A $6.4
Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund IVOG 0.20% 11.71% 11.38% N/A N/A $96.1
iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap IJH 0.21% 11.60% 12.78% 13.07% 3.88% $12,318.4
iShares Russell Midcap Index Fund IWR 0.21% 11.29% 12.31% 12.72% 2.46% $6,178.1

 

Multi-cap



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Broad Market ETF SCHB 0.04% 11.61% 13.49% 10.86% N/A $1,117.2
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund VTI 0.06% 11.75% 13.62% 10.86% 1.66% $23,288.1
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth SCHG 0.07% 12.46% 12.13% N/A N/A $501.0
Guggenheim Invest Wilshire 5000 Total Market WFVK 0.12% 11.54% 13.34% N/A N/A $6.3
iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index Fund USMV 0.15% 9.34% 13.63% N/A N/A $365.5
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund VTHR 0.16% 11.57% 13.48% N/A N/A $39.4
iShares Dow Jones US Index Fund IYY 0.20% 11.64% 13.43% 10.54% 1.40% $626.7
iShares Russell 3000 Index Fund IWV 0.20% 11.57% 13.47% 10.57% 1.30% $3,840.1
Russell 1000 High Beta HBTA 0.20% 16.64% 15.45% N/A N/A $4.8
SPDR Dow Jones Total Market TMW 0.20% 11.49% 13.33% 10.61% 1.50% $425.8

 

Small-cap



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF SCHA 0.10% 10.79% 12.26% 13.64% N/A $674.8
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund VBK 0.10% 10.66% 11.60% 14.86% 3.90% $2,118.7
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund VIOO 0.16% 8.87% 12.86% N/A N/A $38.3
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund VB 0.16% 11.06% 12.94% 13.58% 3.54% $4,423.1
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap SLY 0.20% 8.88% 12.89% 14.20% 4.08% $205.2
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund VTWG 0.20% 7.53% 9.09% N/A N/A $48.6
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund VIOG 0.20% 7.93% 11.05% N/A N/A $14.4
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund VBR 0.21% 11.44% 14.21% 12.23% 3.03% $2,128.3
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap IJR 0.22% 8.95% 12.96% 14.02% 3.48% $7,960.2
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund VTWO 0.22% 8.49% 11.07% N/A N/A $160.5
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Val Index Fund VIOV 0.22% 9.78% 14.76% N/A N/A $17.0

 

Small-cap



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF SCHA 0.10% 10.79% 12.26% 13.64% N/A $674.8
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund VBK 0.10% 10.66% 11.60% 14.86% 3.90% $2,118.7
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Index Fund VIOO 0.16% 8.87% 12.86% N/A N/A $38.3
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund VB 0.16% 11.06% 12.94% 13.58% 3.54% $4,423.1
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap SLY 0.20% 8.88% 12.89% 14.20% 4.08% $205.2
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund VTWG 0.20% 7.53% 9.09% N/A N/A $48.6
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth Index Fund VIOG 0.20% 7.93% 11.05% N/A N/A $14.4
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund VBR 0.21% 11.44% 14.21% 12.23% 3.03% $2,128.3
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap IJR 0.22% 8.95% 12.96% 14.02% 3.48% $7,960.2
Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund VTWO 0.22% 8.49% 11.07% N/A N/A $160.5
Vanguard S&P Small-Cap 600 Val Index Fund VIOV 0.22% 9.78% 14.76% N/A N/A $17.0

 

Sector



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. REIT SCHH 0.07% 12.07% 17.55% N/A N/A $379.4
Vanguard REIT Index Fund VNQ 0.10% 12.60% 18.27% 19.95% 3.90% $14,420.9
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund XLY 0.18% 17.68% 20.05% 18.33% 7.71% $3,343.2
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund XLP 0.18% 8.75% 14.56% 12.28% 7.27% $6,117.9
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund XLE 0.18% 1.99% -0.06% 7.96% 0.26% $7,784.1
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund XLF 0.18% 20.83% 22.06% 3.10% -10.58% $8,180.2
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund XLV 0.18% 14.73% 19.48% 11.72% 4.39% $5,022.5
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund XLI 0.18% 9.09% 12.02% 12.04% 0.82% $2,935.1
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund XLB 0.18% 7.79% 5.90% 6.50% -0.61% $2,267.1
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund XLK 0.18% 12.19% 11.88% 10.78% 3.22% $10,696.9
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund XLU 0.18% -0.78% 3.50% 9.85% 0.18% $5,991.7

 

Value



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Value SCHV 0.07% 10.93% 14.95% N/A N/A $413.8
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund VOE 0.10% 10.46% 13.34% 12.08% 2.78% $1,058.9
Vanguard Value Index Fund VTV 0.10% 10.86% 14.17% 9.26% -0.31% $6,599.1
Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund MGV 0.12% 10.91% 14.28% 8.69% N/A $424.3
Vanguard S&P 500 Value Index Fund VOOV 0.15% 12.33% 15.05% N/A N/A $53.5
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index Fund VONV 0.16% 12.35% 15.37% N/A N/A $47.3
iShares S&P 500 Value Index Fund IVE 0.18% 12.26% 15.00% 9.41% -1.13% $4,487.1
iShares Russell Top 200 Value Index Fund IWX 0.20% 12.24% 15.53% 8.32% N/A $79.7
SPDR S&P 500 Value ETF SPYV 0.20% 12.19% 14.94% 9.21% -0.72% $102.7
iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund IWD 0.21% 12.28% 15.30% 9.69% -0.33% $12,991.1
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund VBR 0.21% 11.44% 14.21% 12.23% 3.03% $2,128.3

 

World



Fund Ticker Expense ratio* YTD return 1-year return 3-year return 5-year return Net assets ($M)
Schwab International Equity SCHF 0.09% 9.54% 8.79% 1.64% N/A $832.0
Vanguard MSCI EAFE VEA 0.12% 9.36% 7.99% 0.98% -5.01% $9,322.5
Vanguard MSCI Europe VGK 0.14% 11.44% 10.17% 0.69% -5.64% $3,630.3
Vanguard MSCI Pacific Fund VPL 0.14% 6.84% 5.37% 2.42% -3.43% $1,560.5
Schwab Emerging Markets Equity SCHE 0.15% 9.58% 4.88% N/A N/A $545.2
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex US Index Fund VEU 0.18% 9.83% 7.48% 1.77% -4.14% $7,349.7
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund VXUS 0.18% 9.82% 7.43% N/A N/A $959.1
iShares MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility Index Fund EFAV 0.20% 9.41% 9.75% N/A N/A $97.9
Schwab International Small-Cap Equity SCHC 0.20% 10.80% 7.89% N/A N/A $167.1
Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets Fund VWO 0.20% 10.35% 5.63% 3.03% -2.73% $57,357.2

Assets as of Sept. 30, returns as of November 10, 2012. Ranking is based on unrounded figures. Three- and five-year returns are annualized. N/A = not available (fund has been in operation for less than five years). *Net prospectus
Source: Lipper

Learn more about reprints and licensing for this article.

Recent Articles by Author

Best- and worst-performing equity funds

By category, ranked by one-year total returns.

The top-performing socially conscious funds

A look at the ESG funds that have performed the best as socially responsible investing has grown in popularity.

Custodians ranked by number of RIA custody clients

Firm Address City, State Zip Phone Website Head of RIA custody business 2014 # of clients % change…

Long-term care carriers

Provider data covering new and in-force policies and premiums

X

Subscribe and Save 60%

Premium Access
Print + Digital

Learn more
Subscribe to Print