FIASX vs. MIDLX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FIASX (Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A) and MIDLX (MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FIASX returned 8.56%/yr vs 6.77%/yr for MIDLX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FIASX charges 1.29%/yr vs 0.91%/yr for MIDLX.

Performance

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A (FIASX) and MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6 (MIDLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIASX achieves a 9.56% return, which is significantly higher than MIDLX's 6.09% return. Over the past 10 years, FIASX has outperformed MIDLX with an annualized return of 8.56%, while MIDLX has yielded a comparatively lower 6.77% annualized return.

FIASX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 1.97%
• YTD: 9.56%
• 6M: 11.06%
• 1Y: 17.53%
• 3Y*: 13.94%
• 5Y*: 5.78%
• 10Y*: 8.56%

MIDLX

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 1.28%
• YTD: 6.09%
• 6M: 6.48%
• 1Y: 9.87%
• 3Y*: 10.79%
• 5Y*: 3.28%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

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

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIASX Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A	9.56%	24.33%	-0.23%	19.32%	-16.90%	13.15%	9.63%	21.14%	-16.35%	31.47%
MIDLX MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6	6.09%	17.03%	3.33%	13.21%	-18.52%	5.17%	10.15%	24.97%	-10.29%	30.65%

Correlation

The correlation between FIASX and MIDLX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2012	0.90

The correlation between FIASX and MIDLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FIASX vs. MIDLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIASX

FIASX Risk / Return Rank: 27
FIASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FIASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
FIASX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FIASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
FIASX Martin Ratio Rank: 26

MIDLX

MIDLX Risk / Return Rank: 12
MIDLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
MIDLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
MIDLX Omega Ratio Rank: 13
MIDLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
MIDLX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A (FIASX) and MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6 (MIDLX). 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.

	FIASX	MIDLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	0.91	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	1.37	+0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.17	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	0.89	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.02	3.07	+2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIASX Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the MIDLX Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIASX and MIDLX, 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

	FIASX	MIDLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	0.91	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.25	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.49	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.59	+0.13

Drawdowns

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIASX drawdown since its inception was -60.99%, which is greater than MIDLX's maximum drawdown of -34.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIASX and MIDLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIASX	MIDLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.99%	-34.70%	-26.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.76%	-11.75%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.80%	-13.15%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.25%	-33.58%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.16%	-34.70%	-4.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.52%	-2.43%	+0.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.79%	-6.92%	-3.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	3.41%	-0.41%

Volatility

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A (FIASX) has a higher volatility of 3.82% compared to MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6 (MIDLX) at 3.58%. This indicates that FIASX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MIDLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIASX	MIDLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.82%	3.58%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	9.49%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	11.50%	+0.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.56%	13.21%	+0.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.04%	14.01%	+0.03%

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIASX has a 1.29% expense ratio, which is higher than MIDLX's 0.91% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIASX vs. MIDLX - Dividend Comparison

FIASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.12%, less than MIDLX's 3.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIASX Fidelity Advisor International Small Cap Fund Class A	3.12%	3.41%	2.40%	1.67%	0.42%	7.18%	0.56%	2.11%	5.95%	2.51%	2.46%	2.85%
MIDLX MFS International New Discovery Fund Class R6	3.18%	3.37%	10.08%	4.21%	5.85%	5.19%	4.03%	4.36%	6.82%	1.63%	1.09%	1.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIASX and MIDLX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FIASX and MIDLX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FIASX or MIDLX?

FIASX has higher volatility (3.82%) compared to MIDLX (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIASX dropped -60.99% vs MIDLX's -34.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIASX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.91), 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.