How the Largest Stock ETFs Performed

Each month, we check in on the performance of the largest US stock exchange-traded funds.

When evaluating ETFs, investors should focus on long-term returns across multiple years and market cycles. However, short-term returns can provide valuable information about biases within strategies.

Out of the 10 largest US stock ETFs, the top performer last month was the $483.5 billion Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ, which gained 4.22%. The bottom performer was the $224.7 billion Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund VO

Here’s more about the performance of the largest stock ETFs.

Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund VTI

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Blend

The Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund gained 2.66% in August, outperforming the average fund in the large blend category, which rose 2.39%. The $2.3 trillion fund has gained 20.24% over the past year, while the average fund in its category is up 18.00%. The Vanguard fund, launched in May 2001, has climbed 20.65% over the past three years annualized and 11.71% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard 500 Index Fund VOO

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Blend

In August, the Vanguard 500 Index Fund rose 2.72%, while the average large blend fund gained 2.39%. The fund outperformed 65% of its peers. The $1.7 trillion fund has climbed 20.34% over the past year, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 18.00%. The Vanguard fund, launched in September 2010, has climbed 21.01% over the past three years annualized and 12.75% annualized over the past five.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVV

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Blend

The $876.4 billion iShares Core S&P 500 ETF rose 2.72% in August. The gain on the fund beat the 2.39% gain on the average fund in the large blend category, outperforming 65% of its peers. Over the past year, the iShares fund rose 20.34%, while the average fund in its category rose 18.00%. The fund, launched in May 2000, has climbed 21.01% over the past three years annualized and 12.76% annualized over the past five.

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Blend

In August, the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust rose 2.71%, while the average large blend fund gained 2.39%. The fund outperformed 64% of its peers. The $804.7 billion fund has climbed 20.26% over the past year, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 18.00%. The State Street fund, launched in January 1993, has climbed 20.91% over the past three years annualized and 12.69% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Total Intl Stock Idx Fund VXUS

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Foreign Large Blend

In August, the Vanguard Total Intl Stock Idx Fund rose 3.10%, while the average foreign large blend fund gained 2.14%. The fund outperformed 85% of its peers. The $645.8 billion fund has climbed 26.05% over the past year, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 22.52%. The Vanguard fund, launched in January 2011, has climbed 19.84% over the past three years annualized and 9.17% annualized over the past five.

Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Neutral
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Growth

In August, the Invesco QQQ Trust rose 4.22%, while the average large growth fund gained 3.56%. The fund outperformed 76% of its peers. The $483.5 billion fund has climbed 26.35% over the past year, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 13.71%. The Invesco fund, launched in March 1999, has climbed 24.51% over the past three years annualized and 14.23% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Growth Index Fund VUG

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Growth

The $372 billion Vanguard Morningstar Growth Index Fund rose 3.58% in August. The gain on the fund was roughly in line with the 3.56% gain on the average fund in the large growth category, outperforming 60% of its peers. Over the past year, the Vanguard fund rose 15.90%, while the average fund in its category rose 13.71%. The fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 22.94% over the past three years annualized and 12.15% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund VEA

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Foreign Large Blend

The $314.9 billion Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund rose 3.01% in August. The gain on the fund beat the 2.14% gain on the average fund in the foreign large blend category, outperforming 83% of its peers. Over the past year, the Vanguard fund rose 27.96%, while the average fund in its category rose 22.52%. The fund, launched in July 2007, has climbed 20.58% over the past three years annualized and 10.20% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Value Index Fund VTV

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Large Value

The $256.4 billion Vanguard Morningstar Value Index Fund rose 2.22% in August. The gain on the fund beat the 1.82% gain on the average fund in the large value category, outperforming 67% of its peers. Over the past year, the Vanguard fund rose 25.28%, while the average fund in its category rose 21.74%. The fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 18.82% over the past three years annualized and 12.31% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund VO

• Morningstar Medalist Rating
  : Gold
• Morningstar Category
  : Mid-Cap Blend

The $224.7 billion Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund rose 1.38% in August. The gain on the fund beat the 0.94% gain on the average fund in the mid-cap blend category, outperforming 60% of its peers. Over the past year, the Vanguard fund rose 14.78%, while the average fund in its category rose 16.85%. The fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 16.11% over the past three years annualized and 7.43% annualized over the past five.