GBFAX vs. FPADX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GBFAX (VanEck Emerging Markets Fund) and FPADX (Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 10 years, GBFAX returned 7.15%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for FPADX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GBFAX charges 1.53%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for FPADX.

Performance

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) and Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund (FPADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBFAX achieves a 23.54% return, which is significantly lower than FPADX's 27.34% return. Over the past 10 years, GBFAX has underperformed FPADX with an annualized return of 7.15%, while FPADX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.

GBFAX

• 1D: -1.31%
• 1M: 1.29%
• YTD: 23.54%
• 6M: 25.39%
• 1Y: 43.86%
• 3Y*: 20.03%
• 5Y*: 2.19%
• 10Y*: 7.15%

FPADX

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: 3.14%
• YTD: 27.34%
• 6M: 29.43%
• 1Y: 52.96%
• 3Y*: 24.10%
• 5Y*: 7.39%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBFAX VanEck Emerging Markets Fund	23.54%	30.27%	-0.31%	10.60%	-25.21%	-12.13%	16.43%	29.53%	-23.30%	49.70%
FPADX Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund	27.34%	33.90%	6.80%	9.51%	-20.06%	-3.07%	17.84%	18.28%	-14.65%	35.16%

Correlation

The correlation between GBFAX and FPADX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2011	0.90

The correlation between GBFAX and FPADX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GBFAX vs. FPADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBFAX

GBFAX Risk / Return Rank: 61
GBFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
GBFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
GBFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
GBFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
GBFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

FPADX

FPADX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FPADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
FPADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
FPADX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FPADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FPADX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) and Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund (FPADX). 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.

	GBFAX	FPADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	3.03	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.90	-0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.56	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	4.08	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.29	16.16	-3.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBFAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the FPADX Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBFAX and FPADX, 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

	GBFAX	FPADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	3.03	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.43	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39	0.57	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.36	0.36	0.00

Drawdowns

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBFAX drawdown since its inception was -75.51%, which is greater than FPADX's maximum drawdown of -39.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBFAX and FPADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBFAX	FPADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.51%	-39.16%	-36.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.62%	-13.28%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.10%	-16.09%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.80%	-36.86%	-8.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.34%	-39.16%	-11.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-2.08%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.82%	-13.25%	-6.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	3.34%	+0.30%

Volatility

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Emerging Markets Fund (GBFAX) has a higher volatility of 8.52% compared to Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund (FPADX) at 7.78%. This indicates that GBFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FPADX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBFAX	FPADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.52%	7.78%	+0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.60%	15.50%	+2.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.17%	17.88%	+2.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.53%	17.12%	+1.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.41%	17.82%	+0.59%

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBFAX has a 1.53% expense ratio, which is higher than FPADX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBFAX vs. FPADX - Dividend Comparison

GBFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.52%, less than FPADX's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPADX Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund	1.85%	2.35%	2.70%	2.68%	2.47%	2.14%	1.50%	2.59%	2.20%	0.12%	1.69%	2.47%
GBFAX VanEck Emerging Markets Fund	0.52%	0.64%	0.92%	1.17%	3.85%	8.09%	0.15%	1.56%	0.03%	0.10%	0.13%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBFAX and FPADX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, GBFAX and FPADX 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, GBFAX or FPADX?

GBFAX has higher volatility (8.52%) compared to FPADX (7.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBFAX dropped -75.51% vs FPADX's -39.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FPADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 2.23), 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.