FLOWX vs. VGENX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FLOWX (Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund) and VGENX (Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares) are both Energy Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FLOWX returned 7.04%/yr vs 22.02%/yr for VGENX. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FLOWX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for VGENX.

Performance

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund (FLOWX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLOWX achieves a -0.31% return, which is significantly lower than VGENX's 20.38% return.

FLOWX

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: -3.24%
• YTD: -0.31%
• 6M: -1.28%
• 1Y: 7.07%
• 3Y*: 12.35%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: —

VGENX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: -3.35%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 18.61%
• 1Y: 35.05%
• 3Y*: 28.28%
• 5Y*: 22.02%
• 10Y*: 9.47%

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

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FLOWX Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund	-0.31%	18.02%	8.78%	18.58%	-19.94%	28.52%	35.89%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	20.38%	20.67%	30.25%	8.78%	23.59%	27.71%	18.54%

Correlation

The correlation between FLOWX and VGENX is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 17, 2020	0.50

Over the past year, the correlation between FLOWX and VGENX has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.50, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FLOWX vs. VGENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLOWX

FLOWX Risk / Return Rank: 6
FLOWX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
FLOWX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
FLOWX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
FLOWX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
FLOWX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VGENX

VGENX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VGENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VGENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VGENX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VGENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VGENX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund (FLOWX) and Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). 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.

	FLOWX	VGENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	2.76	-2.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.72	3.76	-3.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.49	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.50	5.85	-5.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.44	20.00	-18.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLOWX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the VGENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLOWX and VGENX, 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

	FLOWX	VGENX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45	2.76	-2.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	1.18	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.44	+0.28

Drawdowns

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLOWX drawdown since its inception was -30.63%, smaller than the maximum VGENX drawdown of -65.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLOWX and VGENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLOWX	VGENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.63%	-65.37%	+34.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.84%	-5.71%	-7.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.13%	-12.30%	-3.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.63%	-19.72%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-61.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.68%	-3.97%	-6.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.38%	-14.93%	+7.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	1.67%	+2.79%

Volatility

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund (FLOWX) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX) at 4.94%. This indicates that FLOWX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGENX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLOWX	VGENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.33%	4.94%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.22%	10.18%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.33%	12.11%	+2.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.86%	18.71%	-0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.17%	23.19%	-5.02%

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLOWX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VGENX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLOWX vs. VGENX - Dividend Comparison

FLOWX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.94%, less than VGENX's 7.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLOWX Fidelity Water Sustainability Fund	2.94%	2.93%	2.51%	0.42%	0.08%	1.41%	1.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VGENX Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares	7.12%	4.71%	33.96%	6.83%	4.63%	3.63%	4.46%	3.30%	2.96%	2.96%	1.84%	2.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLOWX and VGENX in my portfolio?

FLOWX and VGENX have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLOWX or VGENX?

FLOWX has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to VGENX (4.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLOWX dropped -30.63% vs VGENX's -65.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGENX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 0.45), 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.