FDEGX vs. VFMV

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

FDEGX (Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund) and VFMV (Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF) are both funds - FDEGX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VFMV is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, FDEGX returned 6.04%/yr vs 9.37%/yr for VFMV. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FDEGX charges 0.63%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VFMV.

Performance

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDEGX achieves a 5.33% return, which is significantly lower than VFMV's 9.62% return.

FDEGX

• 1D: -0.69%
• 1M: -7.51%
• 6M: -0.12%
• YTD: 5.33%
• 1Y: -5.12%
• 3Y*: 11.99%
• 5Y*: 6.04%
• 10Y*: 11.34%
• ALL TIME*: 9.48%

VFMV

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 2.40%
• 6M: 6.67%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 1Y: 13.50%
• 3Y*: 13.82%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.94%

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

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FDEGX Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund	5.33%	2.88%	26.57%	20.93%	-26.50%	21.30%	29.34%	36.59%	-8.70%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	9.62%	10.52%	16.91%	8.86%	-5.73%	20.75%	-0.19%	27.26%	-0.34%

Correlation

The correlation between FDEGX and VFMV is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2018	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between FDEGX and VFMV has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FDEGX vs. VFMV — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDEGX

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

VFMV

VFMV Risk / Return Rank: 63
VFMV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VFMV Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VFMV Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VFMV Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VFMV Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) and Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV). 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.

	FDEGX	VFMV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	1.54	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.12	2.25	-2.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.27	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.23	2.26	-2.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.57	8.68	-9.24

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDEGX Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the VFMV Sharpe Ratio of 1.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDEGX and VFMV, 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

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDEGX drawdown since its inception was -85.96%, which is greater than VFMV's maximum drawdown of -33.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDEGX and VFMV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDEGX	VFMV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.96%	-33.64%	-52.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.45%	-6.00%	-14.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.04%	-10.35%	-15.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.62%	-15.41%	-21.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.62%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.66%	-0.51%	-9.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.71%	-3.60%	-33.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.20%	1.56%	+6.64%

Volatility

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund (FDEGX) has a higher volatility of 6.72% compared to Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) at 1.91%. This indicates that FDEGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFMV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDEGX	VFMV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.72%	1.91%	+4.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.71%	6.44%	+11.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.41%	8.80%	+14.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.62%	11.74%	+11.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	14.18%	+7.98%

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDEGX has a 0.63% expense ratio, which is higher than VFMV's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDEGX vs. VFMV - Dividend Comparison

FDEGX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VFMV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDEGX Fidelity Growth Strategies Fund	0.00%	0.00%	7.89%	0.05%	0.00%	14.15%	8.37%	3.65%	0.75%	0.05%	0.59%	0.13%
VFMV Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF	1.77%	2.12%	1.46%	2.20%	2.08%	1.31%	2.14%	2.43%	2.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDEGX and VFMV in my portfolio?

FDEGX and VFMV have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDEGX or VFMV?

FDEGX has higher volatility (6.72%) compared to VFMV (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDEGX dropped -85.96% vs VFMV's -33.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFMV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.54 vs -0.20), 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.