FSLAX vs. FXAIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSLAX (Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A) and FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - FSLAX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Fidelity, while FXAIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. FSLAX is actively managed, while FXAIX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSLAX returned 8.67%/yr vs 14.28%/yr for FXAIX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A (FSLAX) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSLAX achieves a 18.30% return, which is significantly higher than FXAIX's 11.71% return.

FSLAX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: 18.30%
• 6M: 16.48%
• 1Y: 37.33%
• 3Y*: 18.51%
• 5Y*: 8.67%
• 10Y*: —

FXAIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 11.71%
• 6M: 11.74%
• 1Y: 28.99%
• 3Y*: 22.75%
• 5Y*: 14.28%
• 10Y*: 15.66%

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

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSLAX Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A	18.30%	11.61%	11.03%	18.03%	-20.87%	31.07%	16.96%	32.10%	-17.11%	12.99%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	11.71%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	19.50%

Correlation

The correlation between FSLAX and FXAIX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.78

The correlation between FSLAX and FXAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.79 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FSLAX vs. FXAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSLAX

FSLAX Risk / Return Rank: 75
FSLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FSLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FSLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
FSLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
FSLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A (FSLAX) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). 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.

	FSLAX	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	2.52	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	3.42	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.46	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.78	3.36	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.37	15.70	+1.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the FXAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSLAX and FXAIX, 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

	FSLAX	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	2.52	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.85	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.82	-0.33

Drawdowns

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSLAX drawdown since its inception was -39.85%, which is greater than FXAIX's maximum drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSLAX and FXAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSLAX	FXAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.85%	-33.79%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.36%	-8.89%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.37%	-18.76%	-7.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.48%	-24.50%	-7.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.79%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	0.00%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.71%	-3.79%	-4.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	1.90%	+0.61%

Volatility

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A (FSLAX) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) at 2.83%. This indicates that FSLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSLAX	FXAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	2.83%	+2.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.47%	8.97%	+4.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.02%	11.86%	+6.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.09%	16.91%	+5.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.11%	18.07%	+4.04%

Dividends

FSLAX vs. FXAIX - Dividend Comparison

FSLAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FXAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSLAX Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.03%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSLAX and FXAIX in my portfolio?

FSLAX and FXAIX have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSLAX or FXAIX?

FSLAX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to FXAIX (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSLAX dropped -39.85% vs FXAIX's -33.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 2.49), 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.