FCNTX vs. VPMAX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FCNTX (Fidelity Contrafund) and VPMAX (Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FCNTX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VPMAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FCNTX returned 17.85%/yr vs 18.27%/yr for VPMAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCNTX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VPMAX.

Performance

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCNTX achieves a 7.14% return, which is significantly lower than VPMAX's 25.44% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FCNTX having a 17.85% annualized return and VPMAX not far ahead at 18.27%.

FCNTX

• 1D: -1.37%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 7.14%
• 6M: 6.01%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: 25.94%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 17.85%

VPMAX

• 1D: -3.36%
• 1M: 4.55%
• YTD: 25.44%
• 6M: 23.98%
• 1Y: 53.96%
• 3Y*: 27.28%
• 5Y*: 15.79%
• 10Y*: 18.27%

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

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	7.14%	21.76%	36.00%	38.67%	-28.31%	24.52%	32.48%	30.00%	-3.81%	32.18%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	25.44%	29.70%	13.30%	28.25%	-15.16%	21.72%	17.23%	27.88%	-1.93%	28.28%

Correlation

The correlation between FCNTX and VPMAX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2001	0.90

The correlation between FCNTX and VPMAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCNTX	VPMAX
Technology	25.5%	28.9%
Communication Services	20.8%	7.7%
Financial Services	15.5%	7.6%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	11.8%
Healthcare	7.4%	25.1%
Industrials	5.8%	13.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	1.1%
Utilities	1.8%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.6%
Energy	1.6%	1.8%
Real Estate	0.3%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FCNTX vs. VPMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCNTX

FCNTX Risk / Return Rank: 30
FCNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
FCNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FCNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 28
FCNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FCNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

VPMAX

VPMAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
VPMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VPMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VPMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VPMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
VPMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX). 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.

	FCNTX	VPMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.41	3.16	-1.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.97	4.13	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.56	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	4.82	-2.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.84	21.83	-13.99

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCNTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.41, which is lower than the VPMAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCNTX and VPMAX, 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

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCNTX drawdown since its inception was -49.19%, roughly equal to the maximum VPMAX drawdown of -48.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCNTX and VPMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCNTX	VPMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.19%	-48.32%	-0.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-11.72%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.75%	-20.55%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.59%	-25.21%	-7.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.59%	-32.65%	+0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.92%	-3.36%	-0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.15%	-6.57%	-1.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	2.58%	+0.12%

Volatility

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) is 6.50%, while Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares (VPMAX) has a volatility of 9.16%. This indicates that FCNTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCNTX	VPMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	9.16%	-2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.91%	15.12%	-3.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.14%	17.90%	-2.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.33%	18.61%	+0.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.73%	19.32%	+0.41%

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCNTX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VPMAX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCNTX vs. VPMAX - Dividend Comparison

FCNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.36%, less than VPMAX's 13.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	4.36%	5.21%	4.19%	3.78%	11.87%	10.80%	8.01%	4.16%	7.46%	6.08%	3.81%	5.33%
VPMAX Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund Admiral Shares	13.12%	16.46%	6.71%	7.24%	9.94%	10.18%	9.82%	7.23%	8.43%	4.52%	5.13%	5.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCNTX and VPMAX in my portfolio?

FCNTX and VPMAX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCNTX or VPMAX?

VPMAX has higher volatility (9.16%) compared to FCNTX (6.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCNTX dropped -49.19% vs VPMAX's -48.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 1.41), 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.