VSEQX vs. FCNTX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

VSEQX (Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund) and FCNTX (Fidelity Contrafund) are both mutual funds - VSEQX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Spliced Small and Mid Cap Index, while FCNTX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, VSEQX returned 12.94%/yr vs 16.85%/yr for FCNTX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. VSEQX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for FCNTX.

Performance

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSEQX achieves a 19.38% return, which is significantly higher than FCNTX's 5.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VSEQX has underperformed FCNTX with an annualized return of 12.94%, while FCNTX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.85% annualized return.

VSEQX

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -0.20%
• 6M: 15.59%
• YTD: 19.38%
• 1Y: 33.97%
• 3Y*: 18.83%
• 5Y*: 12.49%
• 10Y*: 12.94%
• ALL TIME*: 10.60%

FCNTX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: -3.83%
• 6M: 3.61%
• YTD: 5.62%
• 1Y: 13.75%
• 3Y*: 22.98%
• 5Y*: 13.11%
• 10Y*: 16.85%
• ALL TIME*: 13.46%

*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)
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	19.38%	15.32%	16.67%	19.31%	-11.90%	30.83%	10.26%	26.76%	-11.86%	12.36%
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	5.62%	21.76%	36.00%	38.67%	-28.31%	24.52%	32.48%	30.00%	-3.81%	32.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VSEQX and FCNTX is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 1995	0.85

The correlation between VSEQX and FCNTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (3 years) to 0.85 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VSEQX	FCNTX
Technology	17.5%	32.7%
Industrials	16.6%	7.7%
Financial Services	15.2%	11.2%
Healthcare	11.0%	8.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	11.3%
Real Estate	6.7%	0.1%
Energy	5.5%	3.1%
Basic Materials	4.9%	2.1%
Utilities	4.9%	0.1%
Communication Services	3.8%	19.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	3.6%

Return for Risk

VSEQX vs. FCNTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSEQX

VSEQX Risk / Return Rank: 88
VSEQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
VSEQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
VSEQX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VSEQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
VSEQX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

FCNTX

FCNTX Risk / Return Rank: 28
FCNTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
FCNTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FCNTX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
FCNTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FCNTX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) and Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX). 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.

	VSEQX	FCNTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	0.87	+1.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	1.29	+1.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.16	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	1.19	+2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.69	4.65	+11.05

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSEQX Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is higher than the FCNTX Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSEQX and FCNTX, 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

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSEQX drawdown since its inception was -63.55%, which is greater than FCNTX's maximum drawdown of -49.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSEQX and FCNTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSEQX	FCNTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.55%	-49.19%	-14.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.60%	-11.30%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.73%	-19.75%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.73%	-32.59%	+7.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.08%	-32.59%	-11.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-5.29%	+4.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-8.14%	-0.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	2.89%	-0.91%

Volatility

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund (VSEQX) is 3.03%, while Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) has a volatility of 3.84%. This indicates that VSEQX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FCNTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSEQX	FCNTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	3.84%	-0.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.82%	12.26%	-1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.11%	15.46%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.86%	19.37%	+0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.35%	19.73%	+1.62%

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSEQX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than FCNTX's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSEQX vs. FCNTX - Dividend Comparison

VSEQX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.35%, more than FCNTX's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCNTX Fidelity Contrafund	4.42%	5.21%	4.19%	3.78%	11.87%	10.80%	8.01%	4.16%	7.46%	6.08%	3.81%	5.33%
VSEQX Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund	9.35%	11.16%	11.36%	6.11%	11.77%	21.36%	1.77%	2.92%	10.34%	7.05%	3.13%	12.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSEQX and FCNTX in my portfolio?

VSEQX and FCNTX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSEQX or FCNTX?

FCNTX has higher volatility (3.84%) compared to VSEQX (3.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSEQX dropped -63.55% vs FCNTX's -49.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSEQX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 0.87), 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.