VSTSX vs. FULVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and FULVX (Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VSTSX returned 13.07%/yr vs 5.24%/yr for FULVX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VSTSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.66%/yr for FULVX.

Performance

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) and Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (FULVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VSTSX achieves a 11.99% return, which is significantly higher than FULVX's -0.01% return.

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 10Y*: —

FULVX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: -0.01%
• 6M: -0.55%
• 1Y: 0.65%
• 3Y*: 9.47%
• 5Y*: 5.24%
• 10Y*: —

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

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.99%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	5.38%
FULVX Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund	-0.01%	5.23%	17.76%	6.38%	-10.43%	17.79%	3.83%	4.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTSX and FULVX is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2019	0.79

Over the past year, the correlation between VSTSX and FULVX has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.79, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VSTSX vs. FULVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FULVX

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

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.

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) and Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (FULVX). 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.

	VSTSX	FULVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	0.00	+2.47
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	0.06	+3.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.01	+0.44
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	0.00	+3.38
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	0.00	+15.60
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the FULVX Sharpe Ratio of 0.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTSX and FULVX, 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

	VSTSX	FULVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	0.00	+2.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.43	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.40	+0.40

Drawdowns

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTSX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, which is greater than FULVX's maximum drawdown of -33.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTSX and FULVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTSX	FULVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-33.24%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-6.33%	-2.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-10.31%	-9.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-18.64%	-6.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.95%	+3.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-5.09%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	2.16%	-0.23%

Volatility

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) has a higher volatility of 2.95% compared to Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund (FULVX) at 1.84%. This indicates that VSTSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FULVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VSTSX	FULVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	1.84%	+1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	5.81%	+3.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	8.38%	+3.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	12.19%	+5.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.76%	16.22%	+2.54%

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTSX has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than FULVX's 0.66% expense ratio.

Dividends

VSTSX vs. FULVX - Dividend Comparison

VSTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than FULVX's 13.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FULVX Fidelity U.S. Low Volatility Equity Fund	13.25%	6.82%	5.76%	1.65%	4.98%	5.35%	0.62%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.02%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTSX and FULVX in my portfolio?

VSTSX and FULVX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VSTSX or FULVX?

VSTSX has higher volatility (2.95%) compared to FULVX (1.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTSX dropped -34.97% vs FULVX's -33.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VSTSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 0.00), 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.