FMAGX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FMAGX (Fidelity Magellan Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FMAGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, FMAGX returned 15.22%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FMAGX charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FMAGX achieves a 8.31% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FMAGX having a 15.22% annualized return and VFIAX not far ahead at 15.61%.

FMAGX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 3.93%
• YTD: 8.31%
• 6M: 7.85%
• 1Y: 13.19%
• 3Y*: 22.93%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: 15.22%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

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

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FMAGX Fidelity Magellan Fund	8.31%	16.27%	28.06%	31.04%	-27.18%	27.08%	28.34%	31.26%	-5.70%	26.49%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FMAGX and VFIAX 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	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.95

The correlation between FMAGX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FMAGX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FMAGX

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

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). 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.

	FMAGX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	2.55	-1.58
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.42	3.46	-2.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.46	-0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	3.38	-2.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.62	15.82	-12.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FMAGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FMAGX and VFIAX, 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

	FMAGX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97	2.55	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.84	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.87	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.57	0.47	+0.10

Drawdowns

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FMAGX drawdown since its inception was -71.14%, which is greater than VFIAX's maximum drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FMAGX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FMAGX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.14%	-55.20%	-15.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.00%	-8.90%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-18.75%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.13%	-24.53%	-8.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.13%	-33.83%	+0.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.96%	-9.40%	-5.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.92%	1.90%	+2.02%

Volatility

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Magellan Fund (FMAGX) has a higher volatility of 4.00% compared to Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) at 2.82%. This indicates that FMAGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FMAGX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	2.82%	+1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.39%	8.99%	+2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.34%	11.88%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.06%	16.90%	+3.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.15%	18.07%	+2.08%

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FMAGX has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FMAGX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

FMAGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.36%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FMAGX Fidelity Magellan Fund	6.36%	13.90%	6.12%	11.72%	5.02%	7.01%	0.30%	14.93%	10.83%	9.64%	2.92%	7.60%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FMAGX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FMAGX and VFIAX 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, FMAGX or VFIAX?

FMAGX has higher volatility (4.00%) compared to VFIAX (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FMAGX dropped -71.14% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 0.97), 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.