DESGX vs. FSKAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DESGX (DWS ESG Core Equity Fund) and FSKAX (Fidelity Total Market Index Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, DESGX returned 13.43%/yr vs 15.09%/yr for FSKAX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DESGX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for FSKAX.

Performance

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DWS ESG Core Equity Fund (DESGX) and Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DESGX achieves a 14.68% return, which is significantly higher than FSKAX's 12.08% return. Over the past 10 years, DESGX has underperformed FSKAX with an annualized return of 13.43%, while FSKAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.09% annualized return.

DESGX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 6.82%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 14.99%
• 1Y: 37.64%
• 3Y*: 23.46%
• 5Y*: 15.42%
• 10Y*: 13.43%

FSKAX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 12.08%
• 6M: 11.98%
• 1Y: 29.13%
• 3Y*: 22.42%
• 5Y*: 13.08%
• 10Y*: 15.09%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DESGX DWS ESG Core Equity Fund	14.68%	18.92%	23.55%	26.68%	-15.56%	28.99%	19.13%	28.18%	-17.30%	13.02%
FSKAX Fidelity Total Market Index Fund	12.08%	17.06%	23.89%	26.12%	-19.53%	25.66%	20.79%	30.92%	-5.32%	20.85%

Correlation

The correlation between DESGX and FSKAX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2011	0.95

The correlation between DESGX and FSKAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DESGX vs. FSKAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DESGX

DESGX Risk / Return Rank: 88
DESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
DESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
DESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
DESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
DESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

FSKAX

FSKAX Risk / Return Rank: 71
FSKAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSKAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
FSKAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FSKAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FSKAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DWS ESG Core Equity Fund (DESGX) and Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DESGX	FSKAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.46	+0.59
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.19	3.35	+0.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.44	+0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.14	3.38	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.08	15.52	+3.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DESGX Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the FSKAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DESGX and FSKAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DESGX	FSKAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	2.46	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	0.76	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74	0.82	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.85	-0.32

Drawdowns

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DESGX drawdown since its inception was -58.26%, which is greater than FSKAX's maximum drawdown of -35.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DESGX and FSKAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	DESGX	FSKAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.26%	-35.01%	-23.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.38%	-8.92%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.26%	-19.43%	-1.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.01%	-25.39%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.68%	-35.01%	+0.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.03%	0.00%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.11%	-4.02%	-4.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	1.94%	+0.08%

Volatility

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Volatility Comparison

DWS ESG Core Equity Fund (DESGX) has a higher volatility of 3.64% compared to Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX) at 2.97%. This indicates that DESGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSKAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DESGX	FSKAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.64%	2.97%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.78%	9.23%	+0.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.71%	12.26%	+0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.17%	17.41%	-0.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.23%	18.46%	-0.23%

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

DESGX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than FSKAX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

DESGX vs. FSKAX - Dividend Comparison

DESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.02%, more than FSKAX's 0.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DESGX DWS ESG Core Equity Fund	5.02%	5.76%	7.94%	2.80%	4.21%	12.80%	4.06%	7.61%	21.12%	3.53%	6.49%	7.25%
FSKAX Fidelity Total Market Index Fund	0.93%	1.01%	1.19%	1.41%	1.62%	1.15%	1.45%	1.94%	2.54%	2.07%	2.43%	0.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DESGX and FSKAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, DESGX and FSKAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, DESGX or FSKAX?

DESGX has higher volatility (3.64%) compared to FSKAX (2.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DESGX dropped -58.26% vs FSKAX's -35.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.46), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.