VTSAX offers broad U.S. stock market exposure with low fees, outperforming many active funds over 10 years.

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) provides investors with nearly complete exposure to the U.S. stock market through a single, low-cost fund. It tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index across all market caps, with a minimal expense ratio of 0.04%, and has delivered strong returns—about 30% in the past year and nearly 300% over the last decade. The fund’s portfolio is heavily weighted toward technology and large-cap stocks, which drives most of its performance. While it lacks international exposure and intraday trading flexibility, VTSAX is ideal for long-term investors seeking a simple, cost-effective core U.S. equity holding, especially within tax-advantaged accounts. Pairing it with international and bond funds can create a balanced portfolio that often outperforms actively managed alternatives over time.