PRDSX vs. FXAIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PRDSX (T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund) and FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) are both mutual funds - PRDSX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while FXAIX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, PRDSX returned 12.69%/yr vs 15.80%/yr for FXAIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRDSX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for FXAIX.

Performance

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRDSX achieves a 20.65% return, which is significantly higher than FXAIX's 9.79% return. Over the past 10 years, PRDSX has underperformed FXAIX with an annualized return of 12.69%, while FXAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.80% annualized return.

PRDSX

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 7.08%
• YTD: 20.65%
• 6M: 17.62%
• 1Y: 34.46%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 8.26%
• 10Y*: 12.69%

FXAIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 9.79%
• 6M: 8.79%
• 1Y: 25.51%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 13.60%
• 10Y*: 15.80%

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

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRDSX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund	20.65%	10.10%	12.97%	21.15%	-22.49%	11.15%	23.85%	32.75%	-6.91%	22.12%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	9.79%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between PRDSX and FXAIX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2011	0.87

The correlation between PRDSX and FXAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRDSX vs. FXAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRDSX

PRDSX Risk / Return Rank: 51
PRDSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
PRDSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
PRDSX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
PRDSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
PRDSX Martin Ratio Rank: 61

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). 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.

	PRDSX	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.15	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.55	2.91	-0.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.97	3.02	-0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.46	13.62	-2.17

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRDSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the FXAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRDSX and FXAIX, 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

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRDSX drawdown since its inception was -58.95%, which is greater than FXAIX's maximum drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRDSX and FXAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRDSX	FXAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.95%	-33.79%	-25.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.08%	-8.89%	-3.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.84%	-18.76%	-7.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.17%	-24.50%	-8.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.61%	-33.79%	-3.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.72%	+1.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.13%	-3.79%	-10.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	1.97%	+1.16%

Volatility

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX) has a higher volatility of 7.20% compared to Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) at 4.68%. This indicates that PRDSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRDSX	FXAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	4.68%	+2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.75%	9.84%	+5.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.82%	12.50%	+7.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.54%	17.00%	+4.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.59%	18.12%	+3.47%

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRDSX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than FXAIX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRDSX vs. FXAIX - Dividend Comparison

PRDSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.26%, more than FXAIX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.04%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%
PRDSX T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund	5.26%	6.35%	7.96%	2.43%	3.72%	13.97%	2.91%	4.12%	4.53%	0.10%	0.02%	1.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRDSX and FXAIX in my portfolio?

PRDSX and FXAIX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRDSX or FXAIX?

PRDSX has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to FXAIX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRDSX dropped -58.95% vs FXAIX's -33.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.82), 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.