FSGGX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FSGGX (Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FSGGX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index, while VFSAX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 5 years, FSGGX returned 9.38%/yr vs 6.12%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSGGX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund (FSGGX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSGGX achieves a 16.40% return, which is significantly higher than VFSAX's 10.43% return.

FSGGX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.72%
• YTD: 16.40%
• 6M: 16.40%
• 1Y: 34.01%
• 3Y*: 20.37%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 10.12%

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.50%
• YTD: 10.43%
• 6M: 10.34%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FSGGX Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund	16.40%	32.93%	5.30%	15.57%	-15.75%	7.74%	10.73%	12.36%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.43%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between FSGGX and VFSAX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.94

The correlation between FSGGX and VFSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSGGX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSGGX

FSGGX Risk / Return Rank: 68
FSGGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
FSGGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
FSGGX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FSGGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
FSGGX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund (FSGGX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	FSGGX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.89	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	2.60	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.35	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	2.31	+0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.00	8.62	+3.39

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSGGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSGGX and VFSAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSGGX drawdown since its inception was -34.76%, smaller than the maximum VFSAX drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSGGX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSGGX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.76%	-39.86%	+5.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.26%	-11.48%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.31%	-14.73%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.53%	-33.81%	+4.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.76%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.22%	+2.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.32%	-9.21%	+1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.92%	3.07%	-0.15%

Volatility

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund (FSGGX) has a higher volatility of 6.45% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) at 5.38%. This indicates that FSGGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSGGX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.45%	5.38%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	12.08%	+1.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.57%	14.03%	+1.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.56%	15.15%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.23%	17.05%	-0.82%

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSGGX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FSGGX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

FSGGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, less than VFSAX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSGGX Fidelity Global ex U.S. Index Fund	2.32%	2.70%	2.91%	2.95%	2.64%	2.60%	1.71%	2.85%	2.66%	0.22%	0.05%	2.44%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.09%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSGGX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

FSGGX and VFSAX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSGGX or VFSAX?

FSGGX has higher volatility (6.45%) compared to VFSAX (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSGGX dropped -34.76% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSGGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.89), 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.