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Old 06-20-2007, 11:49 AM
anonymous_saver anonymous_saver is offline
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Default Vanguard Total Stock Market Index

So I've been trying to figure out the percentages of the Large/Medium/Small cap's in the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index.

After some research, I saw three different versions from various sources on the internet of what it consists of:

(1)
65% Large
25% Medium
9% Small

(2)
40% Giant
30% Large
20% Medium
7% Small
2% Micro-cap

(3)
73.86% Large
18.75% Medium
7.39% Small


With all of the mixed up information out there, what do you all think about this? Do you think it would actually be beter to just get a 500 Index, a Mid Cap Index, and a Small cap index fund instead of the Total Stock Market Index? If so what do you think the best percentages to choose of each are?

This is just for discussion purposes, as I've been thinking about it for the past week and it's getting boring not hearing what others think.
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Old 06-20-2007, 12:02 PM
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disneysteve disneysteve is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymous_saver View Post
I saw three different versions from various sources on the internet of what it consists of:
I'd say the only version of the fund's holdings that matters is Vanguard's version:
https://flagship.vanguard.com/VGApp/...FundIntExt=INT
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Old 06-20-2007, 01:09 PM
anonymous_saver anonymous_saver is offline
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Thanks, but I can't tell from that site what the percentages are for large/mid/small caps. Do you know how?
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Old 06-20-2007, 01:33 PM
BCompDude BCompDude is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymous_saver View Post
Thanks, but I can't tell from that site what the percentages are for large/mid/small caps. Do you know how?
Breakdown is:
64% Large
27% Med
9% Small

I used Vanguard's Portfolio Analysis on my holdings just now. So. . .there ya go.
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Old 06-20-2007, 01:44 PM
anonymous_saver anonymous_saver is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCompDude View Post
Breakdown is:
64% Large
27% Med
9% Small

I used Vanguard's Portfolio Analysis on my holdings just now. So. . .there ya go.
Ahhhhh I see what you did. I still wish it would be easier for people who don't already have some of the fund.

Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know though.

What are peoples thoughts out there, is it better to use the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index or to us the 500 Index, Mid Cap Index (or a combination of an REIT and Mid Cap Growth Index), and the Small Cap Index? With what percentages in each?

Thoughts/opinions?

Last edited by anonymous_saver : 06-20-2007 at 01:48 PM.
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Old 06-20-2007, 02:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymous_saver View Post
So I've been trying to figure out the percentages of the Large/Medium/Small cap's in the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index.

After some research, I saw three different versions from various sources on the internet of what it consists of:

(1)
65% Large
25% Medium
9% Small

(2)
40% Giant
30% Large
20% Medium
7% Small
2% Micro-cap

(3)
73.86% Large
18.75% Medium
7.39% Small


With all of the mixed up information out there, what do you all think about this? Do you think it would actually be beter to just get a 500 Index, a Mid Cap Index, and a Small cap index fund instead of the Total Stock Market Index? If so what do you think the best percentages to choose of each are?

This is just for discussion purposes, as I've been thinking about it for the past week and it's getting boring not hearing what others think.
1 and 2 are the same thing, it's just where people draw the line between large and mid which is muddying things.

3) is still close

If you want the exact allocation of the market buy this one fund and be done thinking about it. KISS method (keep it simple stupid!).

I prefer to overweight mid and small. 75% large cap is too much for me. I prefer share weighted or dollar weighted methods as opposed to the market cap weighted techniques the indexes use anyway.
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Old 06-20-2007, 04:48 PM
Aleta Aleta is offline
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I have this fund and I love the whole diverification thing in that you're buying the whole market - large, medium and small. I've had it since 2000 amd I think it is a good fund with a low turnover and low fees. It's especially good for a taxable fund.
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Old 06-20-2007, 06:45 PM
flatrock flatrock is offline
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For, what its worth in my 401K I have 30% in the Vanguard S&P 500, 30% in a small cap fund, 30% in an international fund, & 10% in a short term bond fund. This exact allocation was recently recommended in Consumer Reports. According to them this allocation has returned on average 200% over any 10 year period. From what Ive seen (although they sometimes all move in tandem) when the S&P is cranking the small caps are down and the international may or may not be up. For a long period of time the small caps went up & the S&P didnt move. Lately it seems the S&P has taken off and the small caps & international have been treading water. I have been wondering about the Rydex Equal Weight S&P 500 ETF where all 500 stocks in the index are equally weighted. Im am considering funding a Roth with this ETF.
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