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VFSAX vs. FSTSX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund (FSTSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
VFSAX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares
1.27%29.89%2.58%15.13%-21.30%12.68%11.90%13.47%
FSTSX
Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund
-2.29%27.49%4.97%18.36%-26.25%18.29%19.61%20.78%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VFSAX achieves a 1.27% return, which is significantly higher than FSTSX's -2.29% return.


VFSAX

1D
2.40%
1M
-8.22%
YTD
1.27%
6M
3.64%
1Y
29.20%
3Y*
13.60%
5Y*
5.33%
10Y*

FSTSX

1D
2.76%
1M
-7.07%
YTD
-2.29%
6M
-0.44%
1Y
20.19%
3Y*
12.78%
5Y*
5.65%
10Y*
9.15%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VFSAX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is higher than FSTSX'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%.


Return for Risk

VFSAX vs. FSTSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VFSAX
VFSAX Risk / Return Rank: 9090
Overall Rank
VFSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VFSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
VFSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 8989
Omega Ratio Rank
VFSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8989
Calmar Ratio Rank
VFSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 8888
Martin Ratio Rank

FSTSX
FSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
FSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7373
Sortino Ratio Rank
FSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
FSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
FSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund (FSTSX). 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.


VFSAXFSTSXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

2.06

1.37

+0.69

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

2.63

1.90

+0.73

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.41

1.27

+0.14

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

2.49

1.70

+0.79

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

9.78

5.95

+3.83

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VFSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the FSTSX Sharpe Ratio of 1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VFSAX and FSTSX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


VFSAXFSTSXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.06

1.37

+0.69

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.36

0.35

+0.01

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.58

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.48

0.59

-0.11

Correlation

The correlation between VFSAX and FSTSX is 0.89, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.


Dividends

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Dividend Comparison

VFSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, less than FSTSX's 15.59% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VFSAX
Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares
3.27%3.31%3.36%3.06%2.22%2.67%1.85%3.19%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
FSTSX
Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund
15.59%15.24%10.22%3.34%6.38%13.22%0.81%4.27%10.99%6.30%4.01%7.32%

Drawdowns

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VFSAX drawdown since its inception was -39.86%, roughly equal to the maximum FSTSX drawdown of -38.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VFSAX and FSTSX.


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Drawdown Indicators


VFSAXFSTSXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-39.86%

-38.91%

-0.95%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.48%

-11.22%

-0.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.81%

-38.91%

+5.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-38.91%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-9.36%

-8.77%

-0.59%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.42%

-7.95%

-1.47%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.92%

3.20%

-0.28%

Volatility

VFSAX vs. FSTSX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFSAX) and Fidelity Series International Small Cap Fund (FSTSX) have volatilities of 6.64% and 6.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


VFSAXFSTSXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.64%

6.72%

-0.08%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.11%

10.06%

+0.05%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.58%

15.42%

-0.84%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.90%

16.31%

-1.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.03%

15.82%

+1.21%