VMFGX vs. FSMAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VMFGX (Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) and FSMAX (Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund) are both Mid Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, VMFGX returned 11.68%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for FSMAX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VMFGX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for FSMAX.

Performance

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - 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 Extended Market Index Fund (FSMAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VMFGX achieves a 18.87% return, which is significantly higher than FSMAX's 14.89% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VMFGX having a 11.68% annualized return and FSMAX not far ahead at 12.17%.

VMFGX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 5.67%
• YTD: 18.87%
• 6M: 19.12%
• 1Y: 29.92%
• 3Y*: 18.07%
• 5Y*: 8.83%
• 10Y*: 11.68%

FSMAX

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 5.80%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 30.08%
• 3Y*: 20.13%
• 5Y*: 6.91%
• 10Y*: 12.17%

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

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VMFGX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.87%	7.43%	15.86%	17.42%	-18.99%	18.83%	22.61%	26.20%	-10.39%	19.87%
FSMAX Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund	14.89%	11.40%	16.99%	25.36%	-26.44%	12.41%	32.28%	28.01%	-9.44%	18.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VMFGX and FSMAX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
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 Jan 4, 2012	0.96

The correlation between VMFGX and FSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VMFGX vs. FSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VMFGX

VMFGX Risk / Return Rank: 50
VMFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
VMFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VMFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VMFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VMFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

FSMAX

FSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 47
FSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
FSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
FSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
FSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - 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 Extended Market Index Fund (FSMAX). 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.

	VMFGX	FSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.87	+0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.60	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.19	3.12	+0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.69	11.05	+1.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VMFGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the FSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VMFGX and FSMAX, 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

	VMFGX	FSMAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.87	1.87	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.31	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.40	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.46	+0.18

Drawdowns

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VMFGX drawdown since its inception was -39.15%, smaller than the maximum FSMAX drawdown of -50.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VMFGX and FSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VMFGX	FSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.15%	-50.55%	+11.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.91%	-10.26%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.45%	-26.82%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.25%	-36.31%	+7.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.15%	-50.55%	+11.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.71%	-12.17%	+6.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.48%	2.90%	-0.42%

Volatility

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VMFGX) has a higher volatility of 5.18% compared to Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund (FSMAX) at 4.70%. This indicates that VMFGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VMFGX	FSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.18%	4.70%	+0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.09%	12.46%	+0.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.85%	17.17%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.61%	22.33%	-1.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.05%	30.24%	-9.19%

VMFGX vs. FSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VMFGX has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than FSMAX's 0.04% 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. FSMAX - Dividend Comparison

VMFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, more than FSMAX's 0.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSMAX Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund	0.50%	0.57%	0.48%	1.17%	1.90%	7.49%	2.14%	4.30%	6.09%	5.44%	4.85%	6.34%
VMFGX Vanguard S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.59%	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 FSMAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VMFGX and FSMAX 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, VMFGX or FSMAX?

VMFGX has higher volatility (5.18%) compared to FSMAX (4.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VMFGX dropped -39.15% vs FSMAX's -50.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

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