VUG vs. FCNKX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) and FCNKX (Fidelity Contrafund) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. VUG is passively managed, while FCNKX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VUG returned 17.95%/yr vs 17.65%/yr for FCNKX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VUG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.74%/yr for FCNKX.

Performance

VUG vs. FCNKX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Fidelity Contrafund (FCNKX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VUG having a 6.14% return and FCNKX slightly lower at 6.04%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VUG having a 17.95% annualized return and FCNKX not far behind at 17.65%.

VUG

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 6.14%
• 6M: 5.11%
• 1Y: 23.11%
• 3Y*: 24.71%
• 5Y*: 14.33%
• 10Y*: 17.95%

FCNKX

• 1D: -3.00%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 6.04%
• 6M: 6.26%
• 1Y: 19.89%
• 3Y*: 26.51%
• 5Y*: 14.96%
• 10Y*: 17.65%

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

VUG vs. FCNKX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	6.14%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	-33.16%	27.35%	40.25%	37.03%	-3.32%	27.72%
FCNKX Fidelity Contrafund	6.04%	21.88%	36.08%	39.50%	-27.44%	24.66%	32.50%	30.18%	-2.27%	32.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VUG and FCNKX is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2008	0.96

The correlation between VUG and FCNKX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VUG vs. FCNKX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 40
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 44
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 35

FCNKX

FCNKX Risk / Return Rank: 31
FCNKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FCNKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
FCNKX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FCNKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FCNKX Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

VUG vs. FCNKX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) and Fidelity Contrafund (FCNKX). 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.

	VUG	FCNKX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.50	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.07	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.27	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	1.90	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.90	8.03	-3.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VUG vs. FCNKX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VUG Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the FCNKX Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VUG and FCNKX, 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

	VUG	FCNKX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.50	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.78	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.90	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.66	-0.05

Drawdowns

VUG vs. FCNKX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VUG drawdown since its inception was -50.68%, which is greater than FCNKX's maximum drawdown of -46.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VUG and FCNKX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VUG	FCNKX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.68%	-46.44%	-4.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.53%	-11.29%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.85%	-19.73%	-3.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.61%	-31.77%	-3.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.61%	-31.77%	-3.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.52%	-3.00%	-1.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.09%	-7.30%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	2.66%	+2.07%

Volatility

VUG vs. FCNKX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a higher volatility of 5.17% compared to Fidelity Contrafund (FCNKX) at 4.35%. This indicates that VUG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FCNKX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VUG	FCNKX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.17%	4.35%	+0.82%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.68%	10.95%	+1.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.25%	14.37%	+1.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.28%	19.16%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.48%	19.67%	+1.81%

VUG vs. FCNKX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VUG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than FCNKX's 0.74% expense ratio.

Dividends

VUG vs. FCNKX - Dividend Comparison

VUG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than FCNKX's 4.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCNKX Fidelity Contrafund	4.38%	5.18%	4.28%	4.31%	13.69%	10.77%	8.00%	4.15%	9.14%	6.09%	3.92%	4.47%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.38%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VUG and FCNKX in my portfolio?

VUG and FCNKX have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VUG or FCNKX?

VUG has higher volatility (5.17%) compared to FCNKX (4.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VUG dropped -50.68% vs FCNKX's -46.44%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FCNKX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.43), 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.