VMFGX vs. FMDGX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

VMFGX (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and FMDGX (Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VMFGX returned 7.54%/yr vs 4.37%/yr for FMDGX. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VMFGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for FMDGX.

Performance

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFGX) and Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund (FMDGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMFGX achieves a 15.87% return, which is significantly higher than FMDGX's 0.31% return.

VMFGX

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: -2.77%
• 6M: 10.23%
• YTD: 15.87%
• 1Y: 22.89%
• 3Y*: 13.98%
• 5Y*: 7.54%
• 10Y*: 11.02%
• ALL TIME*: 12.08%

FMDGX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: 0.83%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 1Y: -1.05%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 4.37%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.95%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FMDGX Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VMFGX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VMFGX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	15.87%	7.43%	15.86%	17.42%	-18.99%	18.83%	22.61%	5.21%
FMDGX Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund	0.31%	8.60%	22.03%	25.79%	-26.67%	12.67%	34.84%	4.63%

Correlation

The correlation between VMFGX and FMDGX is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 17, 2019	0.90

The correlation between VMFGX and FMDGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VMFGX vs. FMDGX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VMFGX

VMFGX Risk / Return Rank: 44
VMFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VMFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VMFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VMFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
VMFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

FMDGX

FMDGX Risk / Return Rank: 3
FMDGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
FMDGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
FMDGX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
FMDGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
FMDGX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFGX) and Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund (FMDGX). 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.

	VMFGX	FMDGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.21	-0.15	+1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	-0.10	+1.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	0.99	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.16	-0.18	+2.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.95	-0.51	+8.46

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMFGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.21, which is higher than the FMDGX Sharpe Ratio of -0.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMFGX and FMDGX, 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

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMFGX drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, roughly equal to the maximum FMDGX drawdown of -38.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMFGX and FMDGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMFGX	FMDGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-38.59%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.91%	-14.75%	+4.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.45%	-25.30%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-38.59%	+9.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.15%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.68%	-6.46%	+1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.67%	-11.02%	+5.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	5.30%	-2.62%

Volatility

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFGX) is 4.45%, while Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund (FMDGX) has a volatility of 5.09%. This indicates that VMFGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FMDGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMFGX	FMDGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	5.09%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.95%	13.99%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.70%	17.60%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.70%	22.53%	-1.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.07%	24.22%	-3.15%

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMFGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than FMDGX's 0.05% 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

VMFGX vs. FMDGX - Dividend Comparison

VMFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, less than FMDGX's 1.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FMDGX Fidelity Mid Cap Growth Index Fund	1.85%	1.85%	0.47%	0.63%	0.81%	6.43%	0.36%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VMFGX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.61%	0.70%	0.84%	1.21%	1.12%	0.53%	0.79%	1.22%	1.18%	0.93%	1.14%	1.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VMFGX and FMDGX in my portfolio?

VMFGX and FMDGX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VMFGX or FMDGX?

FMDGX has higher volatility (5.09%) compared to VMFGX (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMFGX dropped -39.15% vs FMDGX's -38.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VMFGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs -0.15), 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.