LAIEX vs. VFSAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

LAIEX (Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund) and VFSAX (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, LAIEX returned 6.32%/yr vs 6.12%/yr for VFSAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LAIEX charges 1.22%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VFSAX.

Performance

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund (LAIEX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LAIEX achieves a 19.04% return, which is significantly higher than VFSAX's 10.43% return.

LAIEX

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 1.68%
• YTD: 19.04%
• 6M: 18.22%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 16.72%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 8.44%

VFSAX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: -0.50%
• YTD: 10.43%
• 6M: 10.34%
• 1Y: 25.62%
• 3Y*: 16.96%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LAIEX Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund	19.04%	23.98%	0.22%	14.75%	-20.35%	9.51%	14.29%	11.62%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	10.43%	29.89%	2.58%	15.13%	-21.30%	12.68%	11.90%	13.47%

Correlation

The correlation between LAIEX and VFSAX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2019	0.94

The correlation between LAIEX and VFSAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LAIEX vs. VFSAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LAIEX

LAIEX Risk / Return Rank: 33
LAIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
LAIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
LAIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
LAIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
LAIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

VFSAX

VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 48
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund (LAIEX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX). 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.

	LAIEX	VFSAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.89	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	2.60	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.35	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.31	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.03	8.62	-1.59

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LAIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the VFSAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LAIEX and VFSAX, 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

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LAIEX drawdown since its inception was -71.83%, which is greater than VFSAX's maximum drawdown of -39.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LAIEX and VFSAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LAIEX	VFSAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.83%	-39.86%	-31.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.28%	-11.48%	-0.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.79%	-14.73%	-1.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.79%	-33.81%	-2.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.15%	-2.22%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.57%	-9.21%	-13.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	3.07%	+0.52%

Volatility

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Volatility Comparison

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund (LAIEX) has a higher volatility of 7.82% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) at 5.38%. This indicates that LAIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VFSAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LAIEX	VFSAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.82%	5.38%	+2.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.91%	12.08%	+2.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.85%	14.03%	+2.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	15.15%	+1.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.36%	17.05%	-0.69%

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LAIEX has a 1.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VFSAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

LAIEX vs. VFSAX - Dividend Comparison

LAIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than VFSAX's 3.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LAIEX Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund	1.33%	1.59%	1.90%	1.51%	1.69%	2.33%	0.00%	1.23%	12.50%	4.38%	0.71%	4.36%
VFSAX Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares	3.09%	3.31%	3.36%	3.06%	2.22%	2.67%	1.85%	3.19%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LAIEX and VFSAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, LAIEX and VFSAX 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, LAIEX or VFSAX?

LAIEX has higher volatility (7.82%) compared to VFSAX (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LAIEX dropped -71.83% vs VFSAX's -39.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.50), 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.