FSLAX vs. GQSCX

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

FSLAX (Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A) and GQSCX (Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FSLAX returned 9.20%/yr vs 12.91%/yr for GQSCX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - 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 Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSLAX achieves a 20.21% return, which is significantly lower than GQSCX's 24.71% return.

FSLAX

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: -1.28%
• 6M: 14.21%
• YTD: 20.21%
• 1Y: 29.17%
• 3Y*: 16.59%
• 5Y*: 9.20%
• 10Y*: —

GQSCX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.02%
• 6M: 19.44%
• YTD: 24.71%
• 1Y: 43.61%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 12.91%
• 10Y*: —

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

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSLAX Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A	20.21%	11.61%	11.03%	18.03%	-20.87%	31.07%	16.96%	32.10%	-17.11%	1.45%
GQSCX Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio	24.71%	12.22%	11.49%	18.94%	-8.48%	31.77%	7.60%	22.17%	-11.32%	1.07%

Correlation

The correlation between FSLAX and GQSCX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2017	0.90

The correlation between FSLAX and GQSCX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FSLAX vs. GQSCX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSLAX

FSLAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FSLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FSLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FSLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FSLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FSLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

GQSCX

GQSCX Risk / Return Rank: 90
GQSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
GQSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
GQSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
GQSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
GQSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. GQSCX - 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 Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX). 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.

	FSLAX	GQSCX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.44	-0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.45	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.42	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.36	5.10	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.95	18.57	-6.63

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSLAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the GQSCX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSLAX and GQSCX, 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

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSLAX drawdown since its inception was -39.85%, smaller than the maximum GQSCX drawdown of -46.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSLAX and GQSCX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSLAX	GQSCX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.85%	-46.87%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.36%	-8.74%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.37%	-28.83%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.48%	-28.83%	-3.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.85%	-0.16%	-3.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.63%	-8.08%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.47%	+0.06%

Volatility

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A (FSLAX) has a higher volatility of 5.62% compared to Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio (GQSCX) at 3.97%. This indicates that FSLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQSCX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSLAX	GQSCX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	3.97%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.98%	12.82%	+1.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.60%	18.32%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.19%	21.82%	+0.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.09%	24.72%	-2.63%

Dividends

FSLAX vs. GQSCX - Dividend Comparison

FSLAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while GQSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
GQSCX Glenmede Quantitative U.S. Small Cap Equity Portfolio	2.65%	3.01%	10.53%	0.70%	9.45%	10.41%	0.51%	0.59%	0.77%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSLAX and GQSCX in my portfolio?

FSLAX and GQSCX have a correlation of 0.75, 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 GQSCX?

FSLAX has higher volatility (5.62%) compared to GQSCX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSLAX dropped -39.85% vs GQSCX's -46.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.69), 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.