FIRSX vs. VTCLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FIRSX (Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund) and VTCLX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FIRSX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by BlackRock, while VTCLX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, FIRSX returned 5.71%/yr vs 15.47%/yr for VTCLX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FIRSX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTCLX.

Performance

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund (FIRSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FIRSX achieves a 4.77% return, which is significantly lower than VTCLX's 11.31% return. Over the past 10 years, FIRSX has underperformed VTCLX with an annualized return of 5.71%, while VTCLX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.47% annualized return.

FIRSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 1.84%
• YTD: 4.77%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 12.05%
• 3Y*: 8.72%
• 5Y*: 3.44%
• 10Y*: 5.71%

VTCLX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.61%
• YTD: 11.31%
• 6M: 11.26%
• 1Y: 28.29%
• 3Y*: 22.21%
• 5Y*: 13.46%
• 10Y*: 15.47%

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

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FIRSX Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund	4.77%	11.12%	5.17%	9.63%	-13.52%	5.32%	10.88%	14.45%	-3.68%	12.08%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	11.31%	17.44%	23.76%	26.62%	-19.07%	26.87%	21.08%	31.47%	-4.98%	22.40%

Correlation

The correlation between FIRSX and VTCLX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2007	0.89

The correlation between FIRSX and VTCLX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (3 years) to 0.89 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FIRSX vs. VTCLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FIRSX

FIRSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
FIRSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FIRSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
FIRSX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FIRSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FIRSX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VTCLX

VTCLX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VTCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VTCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VTCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VTCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund (FIRSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX). 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.

	FIRSX	VTCLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.43	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.32	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.44	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.32	-0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.28	15.43	-2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FIRSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the VTCLX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FIRSX and VTCLX, 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

	FIRSX	VTCLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.43	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.79	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.85	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.53	0.00

Drawdowns

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FIRSX drawdown since its inception was -40.08%, smaller than the maximum VTCLX drawdown of -55.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FIRSX and VTCLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FIRSX	VTCLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.08%	-55.18%	+15.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.92%	-8.79%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.86%	-19.01%	+13.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.54%	-24.98%	+6.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.54%	-34.56%	+16.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-7.57%	+2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	1.89%	-0.98%

Volatility

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund (FIRSX) is 1.88%, while Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares (VTCLX) has a volatility of 2.86%. This indicates that FIRSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTCLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FIRSX	VTCLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.88%	2.86%	-0.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.98%	9.09%	-5.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.81%	12.01%	-7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.38%	17.22%	-10.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.35%	18.28%	-11.93%

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FIRSX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than VTCLX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

FIRSX vs. VTCLX - Dividend Comparison

FIRSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, more than VTCLX's 0.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIRSX Fidelity Managed Retirement 2015 Fund	2.88%	3.01%	2.89%	2.68%	4.92%	5.21%	3.39%	3.24%	6.33%	24.28%	2.04%	4.48%
VTCLX Vanguard Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund Admiral Shares	0.85%	0.93%	1.04%	1.24%	1.47%	1.04%	1.32%	1.52%	1.83%	1.57%	1.76%	1.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FIRSX and VTCLX in my portfolio?

FIRSX and VTCLX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FIRSX or VTCLX?

VTCLX has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to FIRSX (1.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FIRSX dropped -40.08% vs VTCLX's -55.18%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIRSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 2.43), 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.