FSOPX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSOPX (Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FSOPX returned 12.77%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for VSMAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FSOPX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund (FSOPX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FSOPX achieves a 16.83% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, FSOPX has outperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 12.77%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.37% annualized return.

FSOPX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 1.12%
• YTD: 16.83%
• 6M: 15.66%
• 1Y: 40.89%
• 3Y*: 21.01%
• 5Y*: 11.01%
• 10Y*: 12.77%

VSMAX

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 4.24%
• YTD: 14.94%
• 6M: 14.89%
• 1Y: 29.65%
• 3Y*: 17.30%
• 5Y*: 7.34%
• 10Y*: 11.37%

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

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSOPX Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund	16.83%	15.81%	15.31%	20.38%	-17.82%	23.39%	17.03%	29.92%	-8.12%	11.10%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.94%	8.83%	14.23%	18.17%	-17.61%	17.74%	19.06%	27.36%	-9.33%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between FSOPX and VSMAX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2007	0.98

The correlation between FSOPX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FSOPX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSOPX

FSOPX Risk / Return Rank: 73
FSOPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
FSOPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FSOPX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FSOPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FSOPX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VSMAX

VSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
VSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
VSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
VSMAX 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.

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund (FSOPX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX). 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.

	FSOPX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	1.94	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	2.74	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.33	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.35	3.51	+0.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.03	12.97	+4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSOPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSOPX and VSMAX, 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

	FSOPX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	1.94	+0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.36	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.53	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.39	0.00

Drawdowns

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSOPX drawdown since its inception was -61.75%, roughly equal to the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSOPX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSOPX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.75%	-59.68%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.99%	-8.97%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.17%	-25.25%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.06%	-28.14%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.15%	-41.82%	+2.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	0.00%	-1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.37%	-9.70%	-0.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.43%	+0.11%

Volatility

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund (FSOPX) has a higher volatility of 5.26% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 4.40%. This indicates that FSOPX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSOPX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.26%	4.40%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.46%	11.72%	+1.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.92%	16.27%	+1.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.70%	20.71%	+0.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.99%	21.57%	+0.42%

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSOPX has a 0.00% expense ratio, which is lower than VSMAX's 0.05% 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

FSOPX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

FSOPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, more than VSMAX's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSOPX Fidelity Series Small Cap Opportunities Fund	3.78%	4.41%	9.41%	0.98%	5.16%	30.85%	2.01%	6.67%	13.99%	10.31%	0.69%	5.93%
VSMAX Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.18%	1.33%	1.30%	1.56%	1.54%	1.24%	1.14%	1.39%	1.67%	1.35%	1.49%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSOPX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, FSOPX and VSMAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FSOPX or VSMAX?

FSOPX has higher volatility (5.26%) compared to VSMAX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSOPX dropped -61.75% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSOPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 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.