VTI vs. FSMAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and FSMAX (Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund) are both funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while FSMAX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 12.22%/yr for FSMAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for FSMAX.

Performance

VTI vs. FSMAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly lower than FSMAX's 13.83% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has outperformed FSMAX with an annualized return of 15.02%, while FSMAX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.22% annualized return.

VTI

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 9.62%
• 6M: 9.69%
• 1Y: 24.78%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 15.02%

FSMAX

• 1D: 2.96%
• 1M: 4.31%
• YTD: 13.83%
• 6M: 11.67%
• 1Y: 27.30%
• 3Y*: 18.98%
• 5Y*: 6.06%
• 10Y*: 12.22%

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

VTI vs. FSMAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.62%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%
FSMAX Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund	13.83%	11.40%	16.99%	25.36%	-26.44%	12.41%	32.28%	28.01%	-9.44%	18.04%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and FSMAX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 8, 2011	0.92

The correlation between VTI and FSMAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VTI vs. FSMAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 76

FSMAX

FSMAX Risk / Return Rank: 51
FSMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
FSMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
FSMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FSMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
FSMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

VTI vs. FSMAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

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.

	VTI	FSMAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.53	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.16	+0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.65	+0.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.52	9.29	+3.23

VTI vs. FSMAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the FSMAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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.

Drawdowns

VTI vs. FSMAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than FSMAX's maximum drawdown of -50.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and FSMAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	FSMAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-50.55%	-4.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-10.26%	+1.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-26.82%	+7.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	-36.31%	+10.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	-50.55%	+15.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.14%	-1.04%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-12.15%	+4.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	2.92%	-0.93%

Volatility

VTI vs. FSMAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.50%, while Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund (FSMAX) has a volatility of 6.48%. This indicates that VTI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSMAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTI	FSMAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.50%	6.48%	-1.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	13.35%	-3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	17.80%	-5.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	22.42%	-4.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	30.26%	-11.93%

VTI vs. FSMAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FSMAX's 0.04% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VTI vs. FSMAX - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, 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%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and FSMAX in my portfolio?

VTI and FSMAX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTI or FSMAX?

FSMAX has higher volatility (6.48%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs FSMAX's -50.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.53), 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.