mutual fund difference

[palomalou]

We've been comparing two total stock market funds--it seems to say that Schwab TSM has a .09 expense ratio and 1 yr 16.8%, 3 yr 11.94%, and 5 yr 4.55% returns. The Vanguard VTSAX, where we already have some, is expense ratio .06, with 16.38% 1 yr, 11.32% 3 yr, and 2.3% 5 yr. Looks like the Schwab did a bit better over 5 yrs, but its expense ratio is 50% higher than the Vanguard, although still low.
We've never dealt with Schwab. Any thoughts on this choice?

 

[rbmrtn]

As far as schwab, been using them since early '80s, still with them, no problems, excellent service. They also have their own ETFs now that trade free, SCHB

The funds may differ in how they conform to the chosen index,

SWTSX

The investment seeks to track the total return of the entire U.S. stock market, as measured by The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market IndexSM. The fund generally invests at least 80% of its net assets in stocks that are included in The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market IndexSM1. It may invest in derivatives, principally futures contracts, and lend its securities to minimize the gap in performance that naturally exists between any index fund and its corresponding index.

VTSAX

The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Broad Market Index, which represents approximately 99.5% or more of the total market capitalization of all the U.S. common stocks regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq over-the-counter market.

 

[hlfo718]

I just looked at the returns for both funds in M* and they are pretty much identical. Are you sure you are comparing the same time period?

 

[Tyro]

I just looked at the returns for both funds in M* and they are pretty much identical. Are you sure you are comparing the same time period?

Excellent point. I recall many years ago that some funds reported x year returns differently. Some used calendar years, some used fiscal years, etc., whichever numbers looked better from a marketing standpoint. M* (and other services) try to even the playing field by using a standard reporting method.

 

[palomalou]

Ah, perhaps that is the big factor. We were comparing from each individual site. Thanks!