Vanguard Total Stock Market Index ETF (VTI)

The Vanguard Total Stock Market Index ETF (VTI) started trading in late May 2001. It tracks the MSCI US Broad Market Index, minus expenses and fees. VTI takes a sampling approach to tracking the index. It aims to own roughly 95% of the index's components.

The MSCI US Broad Market Index measures the performance of over 99% of the US equity market capitalization. As of August 2008, the index had almost 4,000 component stocks.

The ETF is passively managed, with an expense ratio of 0.07%. The fund's most recent annual turnover rate was 4%.

Although this is subject to change, VTI pays a quarterly dividend in March, June, September, and December. The dividend is irregular, and past distributions have ranged from $0.13 a share to $0.3925 a share.

As of July 2008, the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index ETF held 3,538 stocks, with the following sector breakdown.

Basic materials 4.4%
Consumer cyclical 8.9%
Consumer staples 9.3%
Energy 15.2%
Financials 14.6%
Health care 11.8%
Industrials 11.7%
Information technology 16.8%
Telecommunications 3.1%
Utilities 4.2%