Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) belongs to the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative mutual funds from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with VFSNX. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to VFSNX
VFSNX charges 0.11% annually. There are 2 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund | 0.03% | — | Dec 2009 | VFSNX vs FSTSX | |
| Fidelity SAI International Small Cap Index Fund | 0.10% | — | Jun 2021 | VFSNX vs FSISX | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund... | 0.16% | 14.30B | Feb 2019 | VFSNX vs VFSAX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Institu... | 0.36% | — | Dec 2019 | VFSNX vs AVDVX | |
| DFA International Vector Equity Portfolio | 0.36% | — | Aug 2008 | VFSNX vs DFVQX |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to VFSNX
VFSNX has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 30. There are 29 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 91.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund | 91 | — | Sep 2021 | VFSNX vs HRIOX | |
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund Investor... | 91 | — | Aug 2023 | VFSNX vs HRIIX | |
| Virtus International Small-Cap Fund | 84 | — | Dec 1997 | VFSNX vs ALOIX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Class G | 72 | — | Jan 2021 | VFSNX vs AVANX | |
| Avantis International Small Cap Value Fund Institu... | 71 | — | Dec 2019 | VFSNX vs AVDVX |
Top Performing VFSNX Alternatives (YTD)
VFSNX is at 7.99% YTD. There are 47 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 34.51%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund | 34.51% | — | Sep 2021 | VFSNX vs HRIOX | |
| Hood River International Opportunity Fund Investor... | 34.37% | — | Aug 2023 | VFSNX vs HRIIX | |
| Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio | 24.74% | — | Nov 1993 | VFSNX vs LZISX | |
| Calamos International Small Cap Growth Fund | 23.47% | — | Mar 2022 | VFSNX vs CSGIX | |
| Artisan International Explorer Fund | 19.56% | — | May 2022 | VFSNX vs ARHBX |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to VFSNX
VFSNX has 14.41% 1-year volatility. There are 44 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 11.15%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund | 11.15% | — | Jun 2014 | VFSNX vs YASLX | |
| MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6 | 12.30% | — | Jun 2012 | VFSNX vs MIDLX | |
| MFS International New Discovery Fund | 12.33% | — | Oct 1997 | VFSNX vs MWNIX | |
| Harding Loevner International Small Companies Port... | 12.48% | — | Mar 2007 | VFSNX vs HLMSX | |
| Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund Class ... | 12.71% | — | Feb 2012 | VFSNX vs BISMX |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to VFSNX
VFSNX has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.47%. There are 33 mutual funds in the Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -9.51%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan International Explorer Fund | -9.51% | — | May 2022 | VFSNX vs ARHBX | |
| WCM International Small Cap Growth Fund | -9.81% | — | Nov 2015 | VFSNX vs WCMSX | |
| Virtus International Small-Cap Fund | -10.07% | — | Dec 1997 | VFSNX vs ALOIX | |
| Invesco Global Opportunities Fund Class A | -10.08% | — | Oct 1990 | VFSNX vs OPGIX | |
| William Blair International Small Cap Growth Fund | -10.09% | — | Oct 2005 | VFSNX vs WISIX |
Other Mutual Funds from Vanguard
The 10 most viewed Vanguard mutual funds shown here include VTSAX, VFIAX, VTIAX and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2T.
Often Compared With VFSNX
Investors most often compare VFSNX with VOO, VXUS, ARTJX. These 20 comparison targets span 4 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare VFSNX with Any Fund or Stock
Compare VFSNX with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair VFSNX with funds that move differently
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to VFSNX.
Explore VFSNX Diversifiers