VAIGX vs. FAOAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VAIGX (Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund) and FAOAX (Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, VAIGX returned 10.87%/yr vs 8.51%/yr for FAOAX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VAIGX charges 0.42%/yr vs 1.43%/yr for FAOAX.

Performance

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

VAIGX

• 1D: -2.29%
• 1M: 3.00%
• YTD: -2.83%
• 6M: -2.87%
• 1Y: -4.98%
• 3Y*: 10.87%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FAOAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: -2.34%
• 3Y*: 8.51%
• 5Y*: 3.23%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
VAIGX Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund	-2.83%	17.01%	19.11%	15.53%	-28.63%
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	0.00%	14.93%	4.63%	20.01%	-17.38%

Correlation

The correlation between VAIGX and FAOAX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2022	0.75

Over the past year, the correlation between VAIGX and FAOAX has dropped to 0.44 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VAIGX vs. FAOAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAIGX

VAIGX Risk / Return Rank: 2
VAIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
VAIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
VAIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
VAIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
VAIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

FAOAX

FAOAX Risk / Return Rank: 2
FAOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FAOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
FAOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
FAOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
FAOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). 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.

	VAIGX	FAOAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	-0.22	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.12	-0.25	+0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	0.96	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.17	-0.28	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.41	-0.48	+0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAIGX Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is comparable to the FAOAX Sharpe Ratio of -0.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAIGX and FAOAX, 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

	VAIGX	FAOAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19	-0.22	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.20	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.09	0.30	-0.21

Drawdowns

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAIGX drawdown since its inception was -41.46%, smaller than the maximum FAOAX drawdown of -60.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAIGX and FAOAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAIGX	FAOAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.46%	-60.03%	+18.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.75%	-7.29%	-14.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.25%	-13.99%	-11.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-36.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.50%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.37%	-5.87%	-5.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.33%	-14.55%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.23%	4.00%	+5.23%

Volatility

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund (VAIGX) has a higher volatility of 5.65% compared to Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX) at 0.00%. This indicates that VAIGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAOAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAIGX	FAOAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.65%	0.00%	+5.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.19%	3.98%	+12.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.37%	9.14%	+11.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.92%	16.72%	+12.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.92%	16.68%	+12.24%

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAIGX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than FAOAX's 1.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

VAIGX vs. FAOAX - Dividend Comparison

VAIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.65%, less than FAOAX's 8.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	8.54%	8.54%	1.33%	0.74%	0.38%	2.12%	0.00%	1.37%	4.64%	3.64%	1.75%	0.38%
VAIGX Vanguard Advice Select International Growth Fund	4.65%	4.52%	0.82%	0.13%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAIGX and FAOAX in my portfolio?

VAIGX and FAOAX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VAIGX or FAOAX?

VAIGX has higher volatility (5.65%) compared to FAOAX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VAIGX dropped -41.46% vs FAOAX's -60.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAIGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.19 vs -0.22), 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.