FISMX vs. VFSNX
FISMX (Fidelity International Small Cap Fund) and VFSNX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FISMX returned 8.31%/yr vs 7.46%/yr for VFSNX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. FISMX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.11%/yr for VFSNX.
Performance
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FISMX having a 5.57% return and VFSNX slightly lower at 5.36%. Over the past 10 years, FISMX has outperformed VFSNX with an annualized return of 8.31%, while VFSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.46% annualized return.
FISMX
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- -2.82%
- 6M
- 1.25%
- YTD
- 5.57%
- 1Y
- 11.82%
- 3Y*
- 11.46%
- 5Y*
- 5.71%
- 10Y*
- 8.31%
- ALL TIME*
- 11.18%
VFSNX
- 1D
- -0.16%
- 1M
- -2.56%
- 6M
- -0.48%
- YTD
- 5.36%
- 1Y
- 16.24%
- 3Y*
- 13.11%
- 5Y*
- 4.95%
- 10Y*
- 7.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.16%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund | 5.57% | 24.73% | 0.05% | 19.62% | -16.66% | 13.44% | 9.98% | 21.45% | -16.08% | 31.58% |
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 5.36% | 29.97% | 2.63% | 15.18% | -21.26% | 12.74% | 11.92% | 21.72% | -18.46% | 30.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between FISMX and VFSNX is 0.92, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2009 | 0.93 |
The correlation between FISMX and VFSNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FISMX vs. VFSNX — Risk / Return Rank
FISMX
VFSNX
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX). 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.
| FISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.20 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.17 | 1.20 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.16 | 1.41 | -0.25 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.76 | 4.49 | -0.73 |
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Drawdowns
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FISMX drawdown since its inception was -60.94%, which is greater than VFSNX's maximum drawdown of -43.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FISMX and VFSNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -60.94% | -43.65% | -17.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.71% | -11.47% | +0.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.70% | -14.70% | +2.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.07% | -33.75% | +2.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.80% | -43.65% | +4.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.26% | -6.75% | +1.49% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.59% | -9.44% | -1.15% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.31% | 3.60% | -0.29% |
Volatility
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX) is 4.68%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares (VFSNX) has a volatility of 4.99%. This indicates that FISMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| FISMX | VFSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.68% | 4.99% | -0.31% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.99% | 13.02% | -1.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.71% | 14.81% | -1.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.80% | 15.26% | -1.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 13.95% | 15.65% | -1.70% |
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison
FISMX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSNX's 0.11% expense ratio.
Dividends
FISMX vs. VFSNX - Dividend Comparison
FISMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, more than VFSNX's 3.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund | 3.39% | 3.58% | 2.64% | 1.87% | 0.70% | 7.28% | 0.83% | 2.32% | 6.14% | 2.46% | 2.70% | 2.80% |
VFSNX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.29% | 3.36% | 3.41% | 3.11% | 2.26% | 2.70% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.81% | 2.85% | 2.93% | 2.69% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, FISMX and VFSNX 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.
VFSNX has higher volatility (4.99%) compared to FISMX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FISMX dropped -60.94% vs VFSNX's -43.65%.
VFSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.09 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.
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