FSMD vs. VWO

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FSMD (Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FSMD is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor Index, while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FSMD returned 9.94%/yr vs 6.08%/yr for VWO. Their 0.59 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FSMD charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

FSMD vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF (FSMD) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSMD achieves a 15.80% return, which is significantly higher than VWO's 9.41% return.

FSMD

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.72%
• 6M: 11.82%
• YTD: 15.80%
• 1Y: 24.59%
• 3Y*: 15.14%
• 5Y*: 9.94%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.65%

VWO

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -0.49%
• 6M: 4.16%
• YTD: 9.41%
• 1Y: 21.69%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 6.08%
• 10Y*: 7.86%
• ALL TIME*: 6.81%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FSMD Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF	$4.61M	$5.11M	$5.82M
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	$386.61M	$469.40M	$499.89M

FSMD vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
FSMD Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF	15.80%	8.70%	15.18%	17.37%	-11.15%	26.40%	8.94%	8.81%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	9.41%	25.60%	10.59%	9.25%	-17.98%	1.26%	15.17%	9.69%

Correlation

The correlation between FSMD and VWO is 0.61, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 28, 2019	0.59

The correlation between FSMD and VWO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

FSMD vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FSMD	VWO
Technology	20.9%	34.2%
Industrials	20.3%	7.9%
Financial Services	15.2%	19.4%
Healthcare	12.2%	3.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	9.1%
Real Estate	6.1%	2.0%
Energy	3.7%	3.8%
Basic Materials	3.5%	7.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	3.3%
Communication Services	2.8%	6.6%
Utilities	1.9%	2.8%

Return for Risk

FSMD vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FSMD

FSMD Risk / Return Rank: 68
FSMD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
FSMD Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FSMD Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FSMD Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FSMD Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VWO

VWO Risk / Return Rank: 51
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FSMD vs. VWO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF (FSMD) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.

	FSMD	VWO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.20	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	1.72	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.22	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	1.89	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.08	6.16	+2.92

FSMD vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSMD Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSMD and VWO, 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

FSMD vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSMD drawdown since its inception was -40.67%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -67.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSMD and VWO.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSMD	VWO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.67%	-67.68%	+27.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.44%	-11.17%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.16%	-17.37%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.16%	-30.88%	+8.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-4.07%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.92%	-15.73%	+9.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.52%	3.43%	-0.91%

Volatility

FSMD vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF (FSMD) is 4.05%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 5.58%. This indicates that FSMD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSMD	VWO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.05%	5.58%	-1.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.33%	15.22%	-2.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.87%	17.58%	-1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.54%	17.56%	+0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.32%	19.17%	+2.15%

FSMD vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSMD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FSMD vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

FSMD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.25%, less than VWO's 2.35% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSMD Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor ETF	1.25%	1.33%	1.29%	1.37%	1.54%	1.18%	1.32%	1.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWO Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	2.35%	2.79%	3.20%	3.52%	4.11%	2.63%	1.91%	3.23%	2.88%	2.30%	2.52%	3.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSMD and VWO in my portfolio?

FSMD and VWO have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSMD or VWO?

VWO has higher volatility (5.58%) compared to FSMD (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSMD dropped -40.67% vs VWO's -67.68%.

Which ETF is better, FSMD or VWO?

On 5-year performance, FSMD leads with 9.94% vs 6.08% for VWO. On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FSMD has been the lower-risk option at 4.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FSMD or VWO?

Over the 5-year period, FSMD has performed better with a 9.94% return vs 6.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FSMD or VWO?

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for FSMD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FSMD or VWO?

VWO has the higher dividend yield at 2.35%, compared with 1.25% for FSMD.

What is the main difference between FSMD and VWO?

FSMD is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. FSMD tracks Fidelity Small-Mid Multifactor Index, while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: Fidelity and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for FSMD and 0.08% for VWO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSMD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 1.20), 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.