VEXAX vs. FSMDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEXAX (Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares) and FSMDX (Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VEXAX returned 12.19%/yr vs 11.69%/yr for FSMDX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VEXAX charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for FSMDX.

Performance

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - 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 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, VEXAX achieves a 14.93% return, which is significantly higher than FSMDX's 12.78% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEXAX having a 12.19% annualized return and FSMDX not far behind at 11.69%.

VEXAX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 6M: 13.66%
• 1Y: 30.14%
• 3Y*: 20.14%
• 5Y*: 6.91%
• 10Y*: 12.19%

FSMDX

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 4.12%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 22.14%
• 3Y*: 17.58%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

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

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	14.93%	11.42%	15.47%	26.95%	-26.46%	12.45%	32.22%	28.03%	-9.37%	18.11%
FSMDX Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund	12.78%	10.58%	15.55%	17.20%	-17.27%	22.56%	17.13%	30.53%	-9.38%	18.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VEXAX and FSMDX is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2011	0.96

The correlation between VEXAX and FSMDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEXAX vs. FSMDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEXAX

VEXAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VEXAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VEXAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VEXAX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VEXAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VEXAX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

FSMDX

FSMDX Risk / Return Rank: 43
FSMDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
FSMDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
FSMDX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
FSMDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
FSMDX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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. FSMDX - 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 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.

	VEXAX	FSMDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.75	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.51	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.30	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	2.87	+0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.08	11.06	+0.02
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. FSMDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEXAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the FSMDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEXAX 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

	VEXAX	FSMDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.75	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.46	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.61	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.70	-0.32

Drawdowns

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEXAX drawdown since its inception was -58.08%, which is greater than FSMDX's maximum drawdown of -40.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEXAX and FSMDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEXAX	FSMDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.08%	-40.35%	-17.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.25%	-8.16%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.84%	-20.92%	-5.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.33%	-26.07%	-10.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.62%	-40.35%	-1.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.18%	-4.96%	-7.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	2.11%	+0.78%

Volatility

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VEXAX) has a higher volatility of 4.69% compared to Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund (FSMDX) at 3.31%. This indicates that VEXAX'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

	VEXAX	FSMDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.69%	3.31%	+1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.46%	9.93%	+2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.17%	13.42%	+3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	18.26%	+4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	19.32%	+3.04%

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEXAX has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is higher than FSMDX's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VEXAX vs. FSMDX - Dividend Comparison

VEXAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more 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%
VEXAX Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	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 FSMDX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, VEXAX and FSMDX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VEXAX or FSMDX?

VEXAX has higher volatility (4.69%) compared to FSMDX (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEXAX dropped -58.08% vs FSMDX's -40.35%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEXAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.75), 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.