FAOIX vs. VFWPX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FAOIX (Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I) and VFWPX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FAOIX returned 7.40%/yr vs 10.00%/yr for VFWPX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAOIX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VFWPX.

Performance

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I (FAOIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, FAOIX has underperformed VFWPX with an annualized return of 7.40%, while VFWPX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.00% annualized return.

FAOIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: -2.21%
• 3Y*: 8.78%
• 5Y*: 3.50%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

VFWPX

• 1D: -0.79%
• 1M: 3.91%
• YTD: 14.87%
• 6M: 17.36%
• 1Y: 31.99%
• 3Y*: 19.78%
• 5Y*: 8.74%
• 10Y*: 10.00%

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

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAOIX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I	0.00%	15.25%	4.92%	20.35%	-24.38%	19.23%	15.08%	27.82%	-14.85%	30.05%
VFWPX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	14.87%	32.40%	5.48%	15.63%	-15.47%	8.13%	11.40%	21.59%	-13.95%	27.28%

Correlation

The correlation between FAOIX and VFWPX is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.80
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 14, 2010	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between FAOIX and VFWPX has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FAOIX vs. VFWPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAOIX

FAOIX Risk / Return Rank: 2
FAOIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FAOIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
FAOIX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
FAOIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
FAOIX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VFWPX

VFWPX Risk / Return Rank: 58
VFWPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VFWPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VFWPX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VFWPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VFWPX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I (FAOIX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX). 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.

	FAOIX	VFWPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	2.28	-2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	3.11	-3.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.42	-0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.26	2.90	-3.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.44	11.41	-11.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAOIX Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is lower than the VFWPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAOIX and VFWPX, 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

	FAOIX	VFWPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21	2.28	-2.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.58	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.62	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	0.42	-0.10

Drawdowns

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAOIX drawdown since its inception was -59.86%, which is greater than VFWPX's maximum drawdown of -34.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAOIX and VFWPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAOIX	VFWPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.86%	-34.85%	-25.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.28%	-11.34%	+4.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.98%	-13.27%	-0.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.33%	-29.35%	-6.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.33%	-34.85%	-1.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.85%	-0.79%	-5.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.20%	-7.94%	-6.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.98%	2.88%	+1.10%

Volatility

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I (FAOIX) is 0.00%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VFWPX) has a volatility of 4.96%. This indicates that FAOIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFWPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAOIX	VFWPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.00%	4.96%	-4.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.99%	12.09%	-8.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.16%	14.41%	-5.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.73%	15.19%	+1.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.69%	16.08%	+0.61%

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAOIX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VFWPX's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAOIX vs. VFWPX - Dividend Comparison

FAOIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.49%, more than VFWPX's 2.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAOIX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class I	8.49%	8.49%	1.66%	0.96%	0.63%	2.06%	0.00%	1.35%	5.09%	3.79%	1.49%	0.63%
VFWPX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	2.61%	3.10%	3.26%	3.33%	3.12%	3.08%	2.01%	3.12%	3.30%	2.70%	3.00%	2.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAOIX and VFWPX in my portfolio?

FAOIX and VFWPX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAOIX or VFWPX?

VFWPX has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to FAOIX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAOIX dropped -59.86% vs VFWPX's -34.85%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFWPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs -0.21), 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.