PFSLX vs. FSMDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PFSLX (Paradigm Select Fund) and FSMDX (Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PFSLX returned 16.47%/yr vs 11.61%/yr for FSMDX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PFSLX charges 1.16%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for FSMDX.

Performance

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) and Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund (FSMDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PFSLX achieves a 35.49% return, which is significantly higher than FSMDX's 12.00% return. Over the past 10 years, PFSLX has outperformed FSMDX with an annualized return of 16.47%, while FSMDX has yielded a comparatively lower 11.61% annualized return.

PFSLX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 35.49%
• 6M: 36.00%
• 1Y: 76.29%
• 3Y*: 26.77%
• 5Y*: 13.54%
• 10Y*: 16.47%

FSMDX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 3.17%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 6M: 12.70%
• 1Y: 22.46%
• 3Y*: 17.31%
• 5Y*: 8.15%
• 10Y*: 11.61%

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

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFSLX Paradigm Select Fund	35.49%	13.27%	16.73%	26.94%	-26.44%	31.16%	26.05%	38.32%	-9.93%	16.13%
FSMDX Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund	12.00%	10.58%	15.55%	17.20%	-17.27%	22.56%	17.13%	30.53%	-9.38%	18.04%

Correlation

The correlation between PFSLX and FSMDX is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2011	0.90

The correlation between PFSLX and FSMDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PFSLX vs. FSMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFSLX

PFSLX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PFSLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
PFSLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
PFSLX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PFSLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
PFSLX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

FSMDX

FSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 41
FSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
FSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
FSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) and Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund (FSMDX). 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.

	PFSLX	FSMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.16	1.69	+1.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.92	2.44	+1.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.30	+0.20
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.86	2.79	+4.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	27.00	10.78	+16.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFSLX Sharpe Ratio is 3.16, which is higher than the FSMDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFSLX and FSMDX, 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

	PFSLX	FSMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.16	1.69	+1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.45	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16	0.60	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.69	-0.53

Drawdowns

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFSLX drawdown since its inception was -91.83%, which is greater than FSMDX's maximum drawdown of -40.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFSLX and FSMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFSLX	FSMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.83%	-40.35%	-51.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.91%	-8.16%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-91.83%	-20.92%	-70.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-91.83%	-26.07%	-65.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-91.83%	-40.35%	-51.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-83.60%	0.00%	-83.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.71%	-4.96%	-8.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.77%	2.11%	+0.66%

Volatility

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Volatility Comparison

Paradigm Select Fund (PFSLX) has a higher volatility of 6.99% compared to Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund (FSMDX) at 3.28%. This indicates that PFSLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSMDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PFSLX	FSMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.99%	3.28%	+3.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.73%	9.92%	+8.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.34%	13.43%	+10.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	145.93%	18.25%	+127.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	104.41%	19.32%	+85.09%

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFSLX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is higher than FSMDX's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFSLX vs. FSMDX - Dividend Comparison

PFSLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.10%, less than FSMDX's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSMDX Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund	0.98%	1.10%	2.46%	1.39%	2.07%	3.35%	2.34%	2.86%	2.21%	2.17%	2.23%	2.84%
PFSLX Paradigm Select Fund	0.10%	0.14%	0.02%	0.31%	0.01%	0.17%	0.11%	0.58%	2.93%	3.89%	0.74%	9.40%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PFSLX and FSMDX in my portfolio?

PFSLX and FSMDX have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFSLX or FSMDX?

PFSLX has higher volatility (6.99%) compared to FSMDX (3.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFSLX dropped -91.83% vs FSMDX's -40.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PFSLX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.16 vs 1.69), 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.