Morningstar

How the Largest Stock ETFs in the US Performed

Invesco QQQ Trust led stock ETF returns in September, while Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund lagged.

Securities in This Article
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares
(VXUS)
Vanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF
(VO)
State Street® SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust
(SPY)
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
(VOO)
Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
(VUG)

This article mentions funds that have an issuer-initiated rating and/or track a Morningstar Index. For full disclosure information, please refer to the specific funds, which are demarcated with a * symbol, listed below.

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 $498.9 billion Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ, which gained 3.28%. The bottom performer was the $226.4 billion Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund VO

, which lost 4.07%.

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

In September, the Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market Index Fund fell 0.76%, while the average large blend fund lost 1.19%. The fund outperformed 52% of its peers. The $2.3 trillion fund has climbed 15.33% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 12.99%. The Vanguard fund, launched in May 2001, has climbed 22.32% over the past three years annualized and 12.56% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard 500 Index Fund VOO

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

The Vanguard 500 Index Fund lost 0.35% in September, falling less than the average fund in the large blend category, which fell 1.19%. The $1.8 trillion fund has gained 15.70% over the past 12 months, while the average fund in its category is up 12.99%. The Vanguard fund, launched in September 2010, has climbed 22.85% over the past three years annualized and 13.75% annualized over the past five.

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVV

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

In September, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF fell 0.35%, while the average large blend fund lost 1.19%. The fund outperformed 73% of its peers. The $881.3 billion fund has climbed 15.70% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 12.99%. The iShares fund, launched in May 2000, has climbed 22.85% over the past three years annualized and 13.76% annualized over the past five.

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY

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

In September, the State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust fell 0.35%, while the average large blend fund lost 1.19%. The fund outperformed 72% of its peers. The $809.2 billion fund has climbed 15.63% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 12.99%. The State Street fund, launched in January 1993, has climbed 22.75% over the past three years annualized and 13.69% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Total Intl Stock Idx Fund VXUS

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

In September, the Vanguard Total Intl Stock Idx Fund fell 2.57%, while the average foreign large blend fund lost 2.97%. The fund outperformed 67% of its peers. The $665.7 billion fund has climbed 18.49% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 15.73%. The Vanguard fund, launched in January 2011, has climbed 20.15% over the past three years annualized and 9.35% annualized over the past five.

Invesco QQQ Trust QQQ

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

The $498.9 billion Invesco QQQ Trust rose 3.28% in September. The gain on the fund beat the 1.02% gain on the average fund in the large growth category, outperforming 90% of its peers. Over the past 12 months, the Invesco fund rose 23.75%, while the average fund in its category rose 10.34%. The fund, launched in March 1999, has climbed 28.04% over the past three years annualized and 16.32% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Growth Index Fund VUG

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

In September, the Vanguard Morningstar Growth Index Fund rose 2.18%, while the average large growth fund gained 1.02%. The fund outperformed 71% of its peers. The $384.5 billion fund has climbed 13.09% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 10.34%. The Vanguard fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 26.30% over the past three years annualized and 13.87% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund VEA

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

In September, the Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund fell 2.90%, while the average foreign large blend fund lost 2.97%. The fund outperformed 56% of its peers. The $323.8 billion fund has climbed 20.77% over the past 12 months, outperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 15.73%. The Vanguard fund, launched in July 2007, has climbed 20.95% over the past three years annualized and 10.32% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Value Index Fund VTV

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

The $262.3 billion Vanguard Morningstar Value Index Fund fell 3.47% in September. The loss on the fund edged out the 3.83% loss on the average fund in the large value category, outperforming 58% of its peers. Over the past 12 months, the Vanguard fund rose 18.19%, while the average fund in its category rose 15.40%. The fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 18.75% over the past three years annualized and 12.43% annualized over the past five.

Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund VO

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

In September, the Vanguard Morningstar Mid Cap Index Fund fell 4.07%, while the average mid-cap blend fund lost 4.01%. The fund outperformed 57% of its peers. The $226.4 billion fund has climbed 8.36% over the past 12 months, underperforming the average fund in its category, which rose 11.06%. The Vanguard fund, launched in January 2004, has climbed 16.44% annualized over the past three years and 7.44% annualized over the past five.

This article was generated with the help of automation and reviewed by Morningstar editors. Learn more about Morningstar’s use of automation.

The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar’s editorial policies.

Sponsor Center