VFIFX vs. FITFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VFIFX (Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund) and FITFX (Fidelity Flex International Index Fund) are both mutual funds - VFIFX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Vanguard, while FITFX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 5 years, VFIFX returned 10.35%/yr vs 9.17%/yr for FITFX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VFIFX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FITFX.

Performance

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Fidelity Flex International Index Fund (FITFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFIFX achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly lower than FITFX's 16.24% return.

VFIFX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 12.99%
• 1Y: 28.12%
• 3Y*: 19.67%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 11.74%

FITFX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 6.16%
• YTD: 16.24%
• 6M: 19.13%
• 1Y: 34.57%
• 3Y*: 20.37%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: —

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

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	12.06%	21.42%	14.45%	20.39%	-17.48%	16.42%	16.40%	24.99%	-7.89%	13.72%
FITFX Fidelity Flex International Index Fund	16.24%	33.21%	5.37%	15.45%	-15.72%	7.76%	10.77%	21.44%	-13.97%	21.09%

Correlation

The correlation between VFIFX and FITFX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 2017	0.89

The correlation between VFIFX and FITFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VFIFX vs. FITFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFIFX

VFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

FITFX

FITFX Risk / Return Rank: 61
FITFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
FITFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
FITFX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
FITFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
FITFX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) and Fidelity Flex International Index Fund (FITFX). 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.

	VFIFX	FITFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.35	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	3.17	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.43	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.06	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.25	11.95	+2.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the FITFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFIFX and FITFX, 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

	VFIFX	FITFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.35	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.60	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.61	-0.09

Drawdowns

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFIFX drawdown since its inception was -51.68%, which is greater than FITFX's maximum drawdown of -34.84%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFIFX and FITFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VFIFX	FITFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.68%	-34.84%	-16.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.87%	-11.22%	+2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.54%	-13.35%	-1.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-29.74%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.36%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.88%	-7.44%	+0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	2.86%	-0.86%

Volatility

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund (VFIFX) is 3.35%, while Fidelity Flex International Index Fund (FITFX) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that VFIFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FITFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VFIFX	FITFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	4.92%	-1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.02%	12.26%	-3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.36%	14.64%	-3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.18%	15.38%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.11%	16.34%	-1.23%

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFIFX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than FITFX's 0.00% 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

VFIFX vs. FITFX - Dividend Comparison

VFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.86%, less than FITFX's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FITFX Fidelity Flex International Index Fund	2.48%	2.88%	2.77%	2.67%	2.60%	2.25%	1.50%	2.54%	1.92%	1.70%	0.00%	0.00%
VFIFX Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund	1.86%	2.09%	2.26%	2.21%	2.38%	12.83%	1.84%	2.20%	2.51%	0.03%	2.04%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VFIFX and FITFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VFIFX and FITFX 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, VFIFX or FITFX?

FITFX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to VFIFX (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VFIFX dropped -51.68% vs FITFX's -34.84%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.35), 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.