VSTCX vs. FSSNX
Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX).
VSTCX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Apr 24, 2006. FSSNX is managed by Fidelity. It was launched on Sep 8, 2011.
Performance
VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Performance Comparison
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VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | -0.83% | 15.20% | 15.40% | 21.34% | -13.00% | 33.53% | 8.38% | 22.18% | -11.87% | 9.21% |
FSSNX Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund | -2.46% | 12.94% | 11.71% | 17.11% | -20.28% | 14.70% | 19.99% | 25.70% | -11.24% | 14.54% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VSTCX achieves a -0.83% return, which is significantly higher than FSSNX's -2.46% return. Over the past 10 years, VSTCX has outperformed FSSNX with an annualized return of 10.96%, while FSSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.53% annualized return.
VSTCX
- 1D
- -1.06%
- 1M
- -6.50%
- YTD
- -0.83%
- 6M
- 2.92%
- 1Y
- 26.01%
- 3Y*
- 15.69%
- 5Y*
- 9.42%
- 10Y*
- 10.96%
FSSNX
- 1D
- -1.44%
- 1M
- -8.16%
- YTD
- -2.46%
- 6M
- -0.28%
- 1Y
- 21.68%
- 3Y*
- 11.92%
- 5Y*
- 3.17%
- 10Y*
- 9.53%
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VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison
VSTCX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than FSSNX'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
VSTCX vs. FSSNX — Risk / Return Rank
VSTCX
FSSNX
VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) and Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX). 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.
| VSTCX | FSSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.15 | 0.92 | +0.23 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.69 | 1.41 | +0.29 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.18 | +0.05 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.59 | 1.34 | +0.26 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.00 | 5.05 | +1.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VSTCX | FSSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.15 | 0.92 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | 0.14 | +0.29 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | 0.41 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.35 | 0.48 | -0.13 |
Correlation
The correlation between VSTCX and FSSNX is 0.98, 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
VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Dividend Comparison
VSTCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, more than FSSNX's 1.11% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VSTCX Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund | 7.61% | 7.55% | 9.66% | 2.50% | 7.44% | 19.92% | 1.24% | 4.14% | 11.74% | 5.76% | 1.35% | 2.33% |
FSSNX Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund | 1.11% | 1.08% | 1.04% | 1.43% | 1.26% | 3.92% | 0.94% | 2.96% | 4.94% | 3.37% | 2.27% | 2.66% |
Drawdowns
VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VSTCX drawdown since its inception was -62.50%, which is greater than FSSNX's maximum drawdown of -41.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTCX and FSSNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VSTCX | FSSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -62.50% | -41.72% | -20.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.47% | -13.89% | -0.58% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.47% | -31.87% | +4.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.08% | -41.72% | -6.36% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -7.95% | -11.00% | +3.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.73% | -8.37% | -2.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.29% | 3.68% | -0.39% |
Volatility
VSTCX vs. FSSNX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund (VSTCX) is 6.04%, while Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX) has a volatility of 6.60%. This indicates that VSTCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VSTCX | FSSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.04% | 6.60% | -0.56% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.99% | 14.12% | -1.13% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.55% | 23.11% | -0.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.01% | 22.56% | -0.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.44% | 23.38% | +0.06% |