FZAOX vs. VSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FZAOX (Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z) and VSMAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FZAOX returned 10.33%/yr vs 11.37%/yr for VSMAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FZAOX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSMAX.

Performance

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z (FZAOX) 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, FZAOX achieves a 18.58% return, which is significantly higher than VSMAX's 14.94% return. Over the past 10 years, FZAOX has underperformed VSMAX with an annualized return of 10.33%, while VSMAX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.37% annualized return.

FZAOX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: 18.58%
• 6M: 16.79%
• 1Y: 38.08%
• 3Y*: 14.71%
• 5Y*: 6.81%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

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)

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FZAOX Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z	18.58%	12.25%	-0.46%	18.75%	-20.39%	31.71%	17.62%	32.92%	-16.11%	14.26%
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 FZAOX and VSMAX is 0.93, 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	0.93
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 Aug 21, 2013	0.97

The correlation between FZAOX and VSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FZAOX vs. VSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FZAOX

FZAOX Risk / Return Rank: 69
FZAOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FZAOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
FZAOX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FZAOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
FZAOX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z (FZAOX) 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.

	FZAOX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	1.94	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.74	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.33	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.37	3.51	+0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.45	12.97	+3.48
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FZAOX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the VSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FZAOX 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

	FZAOX	VSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	1.94	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.36	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.53	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.39	+0.08

Drawdowns

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FZAOX drawdown since its inception was -40.41%, smaller than the maximum VSMAX drawdown of -59.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FZAOX and VSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FZAOX	VSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.41%	-59.68%	+19.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.31%	-8.97%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.21%	-25.25%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.21%	-28.14%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.41%	-41.82%	+1.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.97%	0.00%	-0.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.36%	-9.70%	+1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	2.43%	+0.04%

Volatility

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z (FZAOX) has a higher volatility of 5.56% compared to Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSMAX) at 4.40%. This indicates that FZAOX'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

	FZAOX	VSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.56%	4.40%	+1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	11.72%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.67%	16.27%	+1.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.00%	20.71%	+1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.92%	21.57%	+0.35%

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FZAOX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than VSMAX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

FZAOX vs. VSMAX - Dividend Comparison

FZAOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.36%, more than VSMAX's 1.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FZAOX Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund Class Z	1.36%	1.61%	0.00%	1.16%	4.61%	9.90%	2.38%	3.53%	13.09%	12.80%	2.61%	7.78%
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 FZAOX and VSMAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FZAOX 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, FZAOX or VSMAX?

FZAOX has higher volatility (5.56%) compared to VSMAX (4.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FZAOX dropped -40.41% vs VSMAX's -59.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FZAOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.31 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.