FAGAX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FAGAX (Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - FAGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, FAGAX returned 21.75%/yr vs 10.72%/yr for VEA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAGAX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

FAGAX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAGAX achieves a 11.01% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.73% return. Over the past 10 years, FAGAX has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 21.75%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.72% annualized return.

FAGAX

• 1D: 2.38%
• 1M: -0.91%
• YTD: 11.01%
• 6M: 12.09%
• 1Y: 31.34%
• 3Y*: 28.84%
• 5Y*: 11.54%
• 10Y*: 21.75%

VEA

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 14.73%
• 6M: 16.65%
• 1Y: 29.82%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

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

FAGAX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAGAX Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A	11.01%	22.17%	38.71%	45.14%	-38.40%	11.31%	68.60%	40.26%	14.87%	34.66%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.73%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between FAGAX and VEA is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.73

The correlation between FAGAX and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAGAX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAGAX

FAGAX Risk / Return Rank: 44
FAGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FAGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FAGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
FAGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FAGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 62
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

FAGAX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FAGAX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.81	-0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.18	2.50	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.33	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	2.58	-0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.18	9.92	-2.73

FAGAX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAGAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAGAX and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FAGAX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAGAX drawdown since its inception was -65.24%, which is greater than VEA's maximum drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAGAX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAGAX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.24%	-60.68%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.19%	-11.63%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.62%	-13.45%	-13.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.70%	-29.71%	-14.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.70%	-35.73%	-8.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.97%	-1.06%	-3.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.19%	-13.28%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.39%	3.02%	+1.37%

Volatility

FAGAX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A (FAGAX) has a higher volatility of 7.26% compared to Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) at 6.84%. This indicates that FAGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAGAX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.26%	6.84%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.42%	14.38%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.16%	16.58%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.95%	16.72%	+8.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.95%	17.40%	+6.55%

FAGAX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAGAX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAGAX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

FAGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.70%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAGAX Fidelity Advisor Growth Opportunities Fund Class A	3.70%	4.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	10.19%	5.45%	4.10%	11.99%	7.67%	15.44%	11.12%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAGAX and VEA in my portfolio?

FAGAX and VEA have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAGAX or VEA?

FAGAX has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to VEA (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAGAX dropped -65.24% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 1.65), 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.