VCIEX vs. FAERX

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VCIEX (VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund) and FAERX (Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VCIEX returned 8.51%/yr vs 7.40%/yr for FAERX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VCIEX charges 0.42%/yr vs 1.65%/yr for FAERX.

Performance

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund (VCIEX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M (FAERX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, VCIEX has outperformed FAERX with an annualized return of 8.51%, while FAERX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.40% annualized return.

VCIEX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.39%
• 6M: 6.36%
• YTD: 9.84%
• 1Y: 20.35%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 7.44%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

FAERX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 1Y: -3.12%
• 3Y*: 8.79%
• 5Y*: 2.78%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

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

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VCIEX VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund	9.84%	24.75%	3.15%	17.20%	-14.40%	11.04%	7.54%	21.24%	-13.74%	24.36%
FAERX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M	0.00%	14.70%	4.40%	19.78%	-24.77%	18.63%	14.43%	27.14%	-15.25%	29.37%

Correlation

The correlation between VCIEX and FAERX is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 1995	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between VCIEX and FAERX has dropped to 0.45 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VCIEX vs. FAERX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCIEX

VCIEX Risk / Return Rank: 34
VCIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VCIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VCIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VCIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VCIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

FAERX

FAERX Risk / Return Rank: 1
FAERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
FAERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FAERX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
FAERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FAERX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund (VCIEX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M (FAERX). 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.

	VCIEX	FAERX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	-0.62	+1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	-0.79	+2.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	0.87	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	-0.71	+2.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.14	-1.11	+7.25

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCIEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is higher than the FAERX Sharpe Ratio of -0.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCIEX and FAERX, 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

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCIEX drawdown since its inception was -75.07%, which is greater than FAERX's maximum drawdown of -60.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCIEX and FAERX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCIEX	FAERX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.07%	-60.14%	-14.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.45%	-7.29%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.31%	-14.00%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.28%	-36.62%	+7.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.20%	-36.62%	+2.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-5.89%	+4.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.36%	-14.35%	-23.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.17%	4.32%	-1.15%

Volatility

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Volatility Comparison

VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund (VCIEX) has a higher volatility of 5.24% compared to Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M (FAERX) at 0.00%. This indicates that VCIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAERX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCIEX	FAERX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.24%	0.00%	+5.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.10%	2.84%	+10.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.20%	8.37%	+6.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.30%	16.70%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	16.30%	+0.25%

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCIEX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is lower than FAERX's 1.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

VCIEX vs. FAERX - Dividend Comparison

VCIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.30%, less than FAERX's 7.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAERX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class M	7.94%	7.94%	0.96%	0.51%	0.12%	2.07%	0.00%	1.15%	4.25%	3.35%	0.80%	0.09%
VCIEX VALIC Company I International Equities Index Fund	6.30%	0.00%	2.41%	2.37%	3.14%	1.60%	4.08%	3.16%	2.27%	2.31%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCIEX and FAERX in my portfolio?

VCIEX and FAERX have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCIEX or FAERX?

VCIEX has higher volatility (5.24%) compared to FAERX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCIEX dropped -75.07% vs FAERX's -60.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VCIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs -0.62), 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.