FCNTX vs. VTIVX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FCNTX (Fidelity Contrafund) and VTIVX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund) are both mutual funds - FCNTX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VTIVX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FCNTX returned 17.48%/yr vs 11.31%/yr for VTIVX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FCNTX charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VTIVX.

Performance

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCNTX achieves a 6.65% return, which is significantly lower than VTIVX's 8.87% return. Over the past 10 years, FCNTX has outperformed VTIVX with an annualized return of 17.48%, while VTIVX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.31% annualized return.

FCNTX

• 1D: 1.81%
• 1M: -0.15%
• YTD: 6.65%
• 6M: 7.93%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: 26.12%
• 5Y*: 14.41%
• 10Y*: 17.48%

VTIVX

• 1D: 2.05%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 8.87%
• 6M: 9.59%
• 1Y: 21.67%
• 3Y*: 17.25%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 11.31%

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

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	6.65%	21.76%	36.00%	38.67%	-28.31%	24.52%	32.48%	30.00%	-3.81%	32.18%
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	8.87%	20.01%	13.68%	19.72%	-17.38%	16.16%	16.31%	24.94%	-7.89%	19.16%

Correlation

The correlation between FCNTX and VTIVX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2003	0.91

The correlation between FCNTX and VTIVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FCNTX	VTIVX
Technology	27.0%	27.4%
Communication Services	21.2%	8.0%
Financial Services	13.8%	16.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.4%
Healthcare	9.2%	8.3%
Industrials	8.6%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	4.8%
Energy	3.6%	4.3%
Basic Materials	2.1%	4.3%
Utilities	0.5%	2.7%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.5%

Return for Risk

FCNTX vs. VTIVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCNTX

FCNTX Risk / Return Rank: 40
FCNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FCNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FCNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
FCNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FCNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

VTIVX

VTIVX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VTIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VTIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VTIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VTIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VTIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. VTIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) and Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX). 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	VTIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.01	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	2.77	-0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	2.68	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.80	11.59	-3.79

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCNTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the VTIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCNTX and VTIVX, 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. VTIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCNTX drawdown since its inception was -49.19%, roughly equal to the maximum VTIVX drawdown of -51.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCNTX and VTIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCNTX	VTIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.19%	-51.69%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-8.30%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.75%	-13.40%	-6.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.59%	-25.10%	-7.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.59%	-31.42%	-1.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.41%	-2.00%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.16%	-6.33%	-1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	1.92%	+0.77%

Volatility

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) has a higher volatility of 5.07% compared to Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund (VTIVX) at 4.51%. This indicates that FCNTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTIVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCNTX	VTIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	4.51%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.16%	9.13%	+2.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.53%	11.10%	+3.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.23%	13.58%	+5.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.71%	14.82%	+4.89%

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCNTX has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VTIVX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCNTX vs. VTIVX - Dividend Comparison

FCNTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.38%, more than VTIVX's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	4.38%	5.21%	4.19%	3.78%	11.87%	10.80%	8.01%	4.16%	7.46%	6.08%	3.81%	5.33%
VTIVX Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund	2.29%	2.50%	2.36%	2.27%	2.75%	15.40%	1.90%	2.23%	2.52%	0.04%	2.47%	3.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCNTX and VTIVX in my portfolio?

FCNTX and VTIVX have a correlation of 0.84, 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 VTIVX?

FCNTX has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to VTIVX (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCNTX dropped -49.19% vs VTIVX's -51.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.45), 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.