FSLAX vs. VSCPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSLAX (Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A) and VSCPX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FSLAX returned 8.67%/yr vs 7.36%/yr for VSCPX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

FSLAX vs. VSCPX - 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 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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 VSCPX's 14.95% return.

FSLAX

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

VSCPX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.95%
• 6M: 14.90%
• 1Y: 29.69%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 11.39%

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

FSLAX vs. VSCPX - 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%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	14.95%	8.86%	12.98%	19.52%	-17.59%	17.75%	19.09%	27.40%	-9.31%	14.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FSLAX and VSCPX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.92

The correlation between FSLAX and VSCPX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSLAX vs. VSCPX — 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

VSCPX

VSCPX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSCPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSCPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSCPX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSCPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSCPX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. VSCPX - 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 Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX). 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	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.49	1.94	+0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.49	2.75	+0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.34	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.78	3.52	+1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.37	12.99	+4.38
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. VSCPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.49, which is comparable to the VSCPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSLAX and VSCPX, 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	VSCPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.49	1.94	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40	0.36	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.54	-0.04

Drawdowns

FSLAX vs. VSCPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSLAX drawdown since its inception was -39.85%, roughly equal to the maximum VSCPX drawdown of -41.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSLAX and VSCPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSLAX	VSCPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.85%	-41.81%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.36%	-8.97%	-0.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.37%	-25.25%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.48%	-28.13%	-4.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.96%	0.00%	-0.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.71%	-6.49%	-2.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	2.42%	+0.09%

Volatility

FSLAX vs. VSCPX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor 529 Small Cap Portfolio Class A (FSLAX) has a higher volatility of 5.25% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares (VSCPX) at 4.40%. This indicates that FSLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSCPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSLAX	VSCPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.25%	4.40%	+0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.47%	11.72%	+1.75%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.02%	16.27%	+1.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.09%	20.72%	+1.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.11%	21.57%	+0.54%

Dividends

FSLAX vs. VSCPX - Dividend Comparison

FSLAX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VSCPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.20%.

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%
VSCPX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares	1.20%	1.35%	1.32%	1.56%	1.56%	1.26%	1.16%	1.41%	1.69%	1.37%	1.52%	1.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSLAX and VSCPX in my portfolio?

FSLAX and VSCPX have a correlation of 0.83, 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 VSCPX?

FSLAX has higher volatility (5.25%) compared to VSCPX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSLAX dropped -39.85% vs VSCPX's -41.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 vs 1.94), 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.