FDSVX vs. VEXPX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FDSVX (Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund) and VEXPX (Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares) are both mutual funds - FDSVX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VEXPX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, FDSVX returned 19.00%/yr vs 13.20%/yr for VEXPX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDSVX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for VEXPX.

Performance

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund (FDSVX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FDSVX having a 14.32% return and VEXPX slightly higher at 14.68%. Over the past 10 years, FDSVX has outperformed VEXPX with an annualized return of 19.00%, while VEXPX has yielded a comparatively lower 13.20% annualized return.

FDSVX

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 5.61%
• YTD: 14.32%
• 6M: 13.45%
• 1Y: 29.32%
• 3Y*: 25.11%
• 5Y*: 14.57%
• 10Y*: 19.00%

VEXPX

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 12.83%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: 17.13%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 13.20%

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

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDSVX Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund	14.32%	15.14%	30.19%	35.63%	-24.43%	22.93%	43.43%	33.77%	-0.33%	34.63%
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	14.68%	7.08%	17.25%	19.78%	-23.32%	15.96%	31.36%	31.27%	-2.46%	22.49%

Correlation

The correlation between FDSVX and VEXPX 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	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 1998	0.87

The correlation between FDSVX and VEXPX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (1 year) to 0.87 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FDSVX vs. VEXPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDSVX

FDSVX Risk / Return Rank: 39
FDSVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
FDSVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FDSVX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
FDSVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FDSVX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

VEXPX

VEXPX Risk / Return Rank: 41
VEXPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
VEXPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
VEXPX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VEXPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VEXPX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund (FDSVX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX). 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.

	FDSVX	VEXPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	1.67	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.38	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.29	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.78	-0.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.15	10.83	-1.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDSVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is comparable to the VEXPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDSVX and VEXPX, 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

	FDSVX	VEXPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	1.67	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.33	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93	0.61	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.52	+0.02

Drawdowns

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDSVX drawdown since its inception was -59.34%, roughly equal to the maximum VEXPX drawdown of -57.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDSVX and VEXPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDSVX	VEXPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.34%	-57.40%	-1.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.53%	-10.18%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.42%	-24.38%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.83%	-32.71%	+2.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.09%	-39.87%	+8.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.98%	-0.50%	-0.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.60%	-12.90%	+0.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.28%	2.61%	+0.67%

Volatility

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund (FDSVX) and Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares (VEXPX) have volatilities of 4.38% and 4.61%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDSVX	VEXPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.38%	4.61%	-0.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.74%	12.64%	+0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.36%	17.03%	-0.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.36%	21.31%	-0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.59%	21.83%	-1.24%

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDSVX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VEXPX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDSVX vs. VEXPX - Dividend Comparison

FDSVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, less than VEXPX's 6.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDSVX Fidelity Growth Discovery Fund	1.38%	1.58%	12.81%	2.55%	3.65%	13.46%	9.63%	4.28%	5.02%	4.87%	0.09%	0.17%
VEXPX Vanguard Explorer Fund Investor Shares	6.44%	7.38%	12.59%	0.79%	5.09%	16.00%	6.64%	4.97%	10.95%	11.46%	4.49%	10.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDSVX and VEXPX in my portfolio?

FDSVX and VEXPX 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, FDSVX or VEXPX?

VEXPX has higher volatility (4.61%) compared to FDSVX (4.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDSVX dropped -59.34% vs VEXPX's -57.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDSVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.67), 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.