FSSEX vs. FAOAX

Last updated Jul 4, 2026

FSSEX (Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund) and FAOAX (Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from Fidelity. Over the past 3 years, FSSEX returned 16.51%/yr vs 8.32%/yr for FAOAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSSEX charges 0.75%/yr vs 1.43%/yr for FAOAX.

Performance

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund (FSSEX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

FSSEX

• 1D: 0.89%
• 1M: 1.17%
• 6M: 11.42%
• YTD: 12.44%
• 1Y: 22.94%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAOAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: -3.57%
• 3Y*: 8.32%
• 5Y*: 3.13%
• 10Y*: 7.79%

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

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
FSSEX Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund	12.44%	26.56%	7.65%	13.37%	-8.26%
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	0.00%	14.93%	4.63%	20.01%	-8.39%

Correlation

The correlation between FSSEX and FAOAX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2022	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between FSSEX and FAOAX has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSSEX vs. FAOAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSSEX

FSSEX Risk / Return Rank: 33
FSSEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FSSEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
FSSEX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
FSSEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
FSSEX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

FAOAX

FAOAX Risk / Return Rank: 1
FAOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund (FSSEX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). 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.

	FSSEX	FAOAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	-0.45	+1.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.82	-0.55	+2.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	0.91	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	-0.51	+2.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.49	-0.82	+7.31

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSSEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is higher than the FAOAX Sharpe Ratio of -0.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSSEX and FAOAX, 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

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSSEX drawdown since its inception was -21.07%, smaller than the maximum FAOAX drawdown of -60.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSSEX and FAOAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSSEX	FAOAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.07%	-60.03%	+38.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.24%	-7.29%	-5.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.81%	-13.99%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	-5.87%	+4.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.34%	-14.54%	+10.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	4.26%	-0.72%

Volatility

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund (FSSEX) has a higher volatility of 6.76% compared to Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX) at 0.00%. This indicates that FSSEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAOAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FSSEX	FAOAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.76%	0.00%	+6.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.29%	3.26%	+12.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.08%	8.38%	+9.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	16.70%	+0.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.21%	16.31%	+0.90%

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSSEX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than FAOAX's 1.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSSEX vs. FAOAX - Dividend Comparison

FSSEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.13%, less than FAOAX's 8.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	8.54%	8.54%	1.33%	0.74%	0.38%	2.12%	0.00%	1.37%	4.64%	3.64%	1.75%	0.38%
FSSEX Fidelity SAI Sustainable International Equity Fund	2.13%	2.40%	1.41%	0.72%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSSEX and FAOAX in my portfolio?

FSSEX and FAOAX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSSEX or FAOAX?

FSSEX has higher volatility (6.76%) compared to FAOAX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSSEX dropped -21.07% vs FAOAX's -60.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FSSEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.27 vs -0.45), 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.