VOOG vs. FXAIX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOOG (Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF) and FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index Fund) are both S&P 500 funds - VOOG tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index while FXAIX tracks the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOOG returned 17.80%/yr vs 15.25%/yr for FXAIX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOOG charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for FXAIX.

Performance

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VOOG achieves a 10.10% return, which is significantly higher than FXAIX's 8.42% return. Over the past 10 years, VOOG has outperformed FXAIX with an annualized return of 17.80%, while FXAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 15.25% annualized return.

VOOG

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.20%
• YTD: 10.10%
• 6M: 9.55%
• 1Y: 29.06%
• 3Y*: 26.66%
• 5Y*: 15.20%
• 10Y*: 17.80%

FXAIX

• 1D: -2.63%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 6M: 8.48%
• 1Y: 24.54%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.40%
• 10Y*: 15.25%

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

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	10.10%	22.11%	35.89%	29.96%	-29.48%	31.95%	33.35%	30.93%	-0.21%	27.19%
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	8.42%	17.84%	25.01%	26.29%	-18.14%	28.71%	18.42%	31.48%	-4.43%	21.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VOOG and FXAIX 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	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2011	0.95

The correlation between VOOG and FXAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VOOG vs. FXAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOOG

VOOG Risk / Return Rank: 55
VOOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VOOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VOOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VOOG Martin Ratio Rank: 55

FXAIX

FXAIX Risk / Return Rank: 59
FXAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
FXAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
FXAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
FXAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
FXAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) and Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX). 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.

	VOOG	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	2.13	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.87	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	2.92	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.74	13.57	-4.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the FXAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOOG and FXAIX, 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

	VOOG	FXAIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.79	2.13	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.79	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.85	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.81	+0.09

Drawdowns

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOOG drawdown since its inception was -32.73%, roughly equal to the maximum FXAIX drawdown of -33.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOOG and FXAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOOG	FXAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-33.79%	+1.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-8.89%	-4.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.18%	-18.76%	-3.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.73%	-24.50%	-8.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.73%	-33.79%	+1.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.28%	-2.94%	-1.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.97%	-3.79%	-1.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.33%	1.91%	+1.42%

Volatility

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (VOOG) has a higher volatility of 5.61% compared to Fidelity 500 Index Fund (FXAIX) at 3.81%. This indicates that VOOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VOOG	FXAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.61%	3.81%	+1.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.04%	9.41%	+3.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	12.19%	+4.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	16.95%	+4.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.77%	18.08%	+2.69%

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOOG has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is higher than FXAIX's 0.02% 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

VOOG vs. FXAIX - Dividend Comparison

VOOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than FXAIX's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FXAIX Fidelity 500 Index Fund	1.06%	1.11%	1.25%	1.45%	1.69%	1.22%	1.60%	2.06%	2.72%	1.97%	2.52%	2.83%
VOOG Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.45%	0.49%	0.49%	1.12%	0.93%	0.53%	0.88%	1.26%	1.34%	1.32%	1.47%	1.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOOG and FXAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VOOG and FXAIX 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, VOOG or FXAIX?

VOOG has higher volatility (5.61%) compared to FXAIX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOOG dropped -32.73% vs FXAIX's -33.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FXAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 1.79), 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.