VEXAX vs. FISMX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and FISMX (Fidelity International Small Cap Fund) are both mutual funds - VEXAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while FISMX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VEXAX returned 11.69%/yr vs 8.45%/yr for FISMX. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEXAX charges 0.06%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for FISMX.

Performance

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) and Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEXAX achieves a 11.26% return, which is significantly higher than FISMX's 6.71% return. Over the past 10 years, VEXAX has outperformed FISMX with an annualized return of 11.69%, while FISMX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.45% annualized return.

VEXAX

• 1D: -3.30%
• 1M: 1.02%
• YTD: 11.26%
• 6M: 9.73%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 18.43%
• 5Y*: 6.07%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

FISMX

• 1D: -2.43%
• 1M: -2.46%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 8.63%
• 1Y: 14.65%
• 3Y*: 13.10%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 8.45%

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

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.26%	11.42%	15.47%	26.95%	-26.46%	12.45%	32.22%	28.03%	-9.37%	18.11%
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund	6.71%	24.73%	0.05%	19.62%	-16.66%	13.44%	9.98%	21.45%	-16.08%	31.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXAX and FISMX is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 20, 2002	0.62

The correlation between VEXAX and FISMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEXAX vs. FISMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEXAX

VEXAX Risk / Return Rank: 35
VEXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VEXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
VEXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
VEXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VEXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

FISMX

FISMX Risk / Return Rank: 19
FISMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FISMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FISMX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
FISMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FISMX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) and Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX). 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.

	VEXAX	FISMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.18	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	1.72	+0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.22	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	1.37	+1.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.96	4.89	+4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the FISMX Sharpe Ratio of 1.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXAX and FISMX, 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

	VEXAX	FISMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	1.18	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.41	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.60	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.72	-0.36

Drawdowns

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXAX drawdown since its inception was -58.08%, roughly equal to the maximum FISMX drawdown of -60.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXAX and FISMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXAX	FISMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.08%	-60.94%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.25%	-10.71%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.84%	-12.70%	-14.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.33%	-31.07%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.62%	-38.80%	-2.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.30%	-4.19%	+0.89%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.18%	-10.64%	-1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.90%	3.00%	-0.10%

Volatility

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) has a higher volatility of 5.84% compared to Fidelity International Small Cap Fund (FISMX) at 4.04%. This indicates that VEXAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FISMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEXAX	FISMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.84%	4.04%	+1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.93%	10.46%	+2.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.53%	12.47%	+5.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.39%	13.61%	+8.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.38%	14.07%	+8.31%

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXAX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than FISMX's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEXAX vs. FISMX - Dividend Comparison

VEXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.04%, less than FISMX's 3.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FISMX Fidelity International Small Cap Fund	3.36%	3.58%	2.64%	1.87%	0.70%	7.28%	0.83%	2.32%	6.14%	2.46%	2.70%	2.80%
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.04%	1.14%	1.09%	1.25%	1.15%	1.13%	1.07%	1.30%	1.66%	1.25%	1.43%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEXAX and FISMX in my portfolio?

VEXAX and FISMX have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEXAX or FISMX?

VEXAX has higher volatility (5.84%) compared to FISMX (4.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXAX dropped -58.08% vs FISMX's -60.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.18), 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.