VFIAX vs FNILX: which was the better investment?
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares against Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Sep 28, 2018 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VFIAX beat FNILX?
It was effectively a tie over the full overlap period (Sep 28, 2018 to Jul 13, 2026): $10,000 grew to $29,070 in VFIAX and $29,257 in FNILX, a difference of under 2%.
What would $10,000 in VFIAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) on Sep 28, 2018 would be worth about $29,070 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 190.7% (14.7% per year). The same $10,000 in FNILX would be worth $29,257.
Which was riskier — VFIAX or FNILX?
VFIAX swung with an annualized volatility of 19.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -33.8%; FNILX ran at 19.9% volatility with a -33.8% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.64 for VFIAX vs 0.64 for FNILX.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Sep 28, 2018 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VFIAX vs FNILX. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.