We Compare VTSAX vs FSKAX:
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund (VTSAX) vs Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX)
Investors may find it difficult when it comes to choosing between VTSAX vs FSKAX. They are both great total market funds and popular among investors.
I'll help break down their differences.
VTSAX vs FSKAX
The primary difference between VTSAX and FSKAX is the brokerage that issues the fund. VTSAX is a Vanguard fund, while FZROX is a fund from Fidelity.
VTSAX is a Vanguard fund
FSKAX is a Fidelity fund
Both funds provide investors with a way to invest in the total U.S. stock market.
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, VTSAX, has over $1 trillion in total net assets and has become a favorite of the FIRE community.
Fidelity Total Market Index Fund, FSKAX, seeks to provide investment results equal to the total return of a broad range of U.S. stocks and has a very low expense ratio.
VTSAX
- Fund Inception: 2000
- Tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index
- Expense Ratio: 0.04%
- Vanguard Fund
- Minimum Initial Investment: $3,000
- Number Of Stocks: 3,535
- Equivalent ETF (VTI)
FSKAX
- Fund Inception: 1997
- Tracks 80% of the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Index
- Expense Ratio: 0.015%
- Fidelity Fund
- Number Of Stocks: 3,875
- Similar Funds (FXAIX)
Fidelity recently made a major push to compete with Vanguard by introducing funds with equally low or no expense ratios, such as FZROX.
VTSAX and FSKAX have very low expense ratios; however, FSKAX's expense ratio is lower than VTSAX's.
VTSAX expense ratio is 0.04%
FSKAX expense ratio is 0.015%
VTSAX vs FSKAX Performance
VTSAX and FSKAX have had almost identical performance returns over the last 10 years. This makes sense since they are both tracking the total US stock market.
Here is how $10,000 would have grown in each fund over the last 10 years:
As you can see, VTSAX and FSKAX performance is identical. Their performance chart overlaps over the last 10 years.
VTSAX vs FSKAX Expense Ratio
The difference in expense ratio between VTSAX and FSKAX is only 0.025%. Vanguard's VTSAX has an expense ratio of 0.04%, while Fidelity's FSKAX has an expense ratio of 0.015%.
Example:
Assuming you start with an initial investment of $100,000 and contribute $10,000 yearly over 30 years.
You will have $12,000 less in your account because of the extra 0.025% expense ratio.
This difference isn't much, and it could be considered insignificant for a long-term investor.
Winner: FSKAX with the lowest expense ratio of 0.015%
VTSAX vs FSKAX Dividend
The main difference between VTSAX and FSKAX dividend is when it is distributed. VTSAX has quarterly dividend distributions, while FSKAX has biannual distributions.
VTSAX Dividend Distributions: March, June, September, and December
FSKAX Dividend Distributions: April and December
Both VTSAX and FSKAX have a similar dividend yield. VTSAX's dividend yield is 1.21%, while FSKAX has a dividend yield of 1.18%.
Again, this difference could be considered insignificant for long-term investors.
Winner: VTSAX with a higher dividend yield and quarterly dividend distributions
VTSAX Minimum Investment
For a first-time investment in VTSAX, you must have a minimum of $3,000. After that, you are at liberty to invest any amount you want.
As a first-time investor in FSKAX, you only need to have the price of one share as a minimum investment. If FSKAX's share price is $50, you can invest in the fund for as little as $50.
So if you are starting small or already have a Fidelity account, your best choice might be FSKAX.
Alternatively, you could invest with no minimum requirement into VTSAX's ETF equivalent, VTI, through the Vanguard platform or M1 Finance. (Use this link for a $100 Bonus)
I also use Personal Capital to track my investment fees. They have a free Retirement Fee Analyzer that tells you the future impact of fees on your portfolio.
Personal Capital's free tools allow you to quickly find which of your investments has high fees so you can switch them to low-cost options. (Get a $20 Amazon Gift Card with this link when you add at least one investment account containing a balance of more than $1,000 within 30 days)
VTSAX Profile
- Fund Inception: 2000
- Tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index
- Expense Ratio: 0.04%
- Vanguard Fund
- Minimum Initial Investment: $3,000
- Number Of Stocks: 3,535
- Equivalent ETF (VTI)
- 10-Year Performance 16.13%
- Aims For Total Market Exposure
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) represents close to 100% of the U.S. equity market that is publicly traded. It also tracks the CRSP U.S. Total Market Index.
Vanguard's VTSAX has an expense ratio of 0.04%.
This notably implies that the fund has limited exposure to several international stocks.
However, this does not affect the companies represented in the fund. These stocks have a significant international presence.
VTSAX Performance
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTSAX) is popular for many reasons, of which consistent returns are a major part.
Its risk level is similar to that of the S&P 500.
VTSAX Holdings
Vanguard's VTSAX comprises Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Tesla, providing exposure to over 3500 stocks.
Here are the top 10 holdings for VTSAX:
Major sectors in the index include:
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Consumer Services
- Financials
- Industrials
The top 10 holdings make up 25% of its total net assets.
FSKAX Profile
- Fund Inception: 1997
- Expense Ratio: 0.015%
- Number Of Stocks: 3,875
- No Minimum Investment
- Fidelity Fund
- Similar Funds (FZROX)
Fidelity Total Market Index Fund (FSKAX) is a Fidelity broad market fund that mirrors the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock market and holds over 3,000 stocks. It is a consistent fund for the multi-cap category and offers greater diversity than the typical large-cap fund.
Like VTSAX, FSKAX offers investors an extremely low expense ratio of 0.015%.
FSKAX return is nearly the same as VTSAX over the last 10 years. The broad diversity of its holdings helps with its steady returns.
In addition, the fund outperforms its index and the large-blend classification on a three- and five-year basis.
FSKAX Performance
FSKAX Holdings
Fidelity's FSKAX comprises Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Tesla but also provides exposure to over 3,500 stocks.
Which Is Better VTSAX vs FSKAX?
VTSAX and FSKAX are both very good investments depending on your investment goals. They are also both low-cost funds with a history of solid returns.
The answer to which is better depends on your goals and the brokerage you prefer to use.
To make it easier to decide, I’ll lay out the advantages of both of them:
VTSAX Advantages:
- Has An Equivalent ETF (VTI)
- Vanguard Brokerage (Investor Owned)
- Quarterly Dividend Distributions
- Higher Dividend Yield
FSKAX Advantages:
- Lower Expense Ratio
- Increased Diversification (More Holdings)
- No Minimum Investment
- Great For Fidelity Account Holders
VTSAX and FSKAX can be great investment options and get you to Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE).
They both have rock-bottom expense ratios (0.04% vs. 0.015%). So, either option is an excellent investment for financial independence.
After keeping fees to a minimum, you can work on increasing your savings rate and prioritizing your investments.
Then, you will be well on your way to Financial Independence and Early Retirement!
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My Winner: Both
FSKAX and VTSAX are almost identical. As a result of mirroring the entire U.S. stock market, they hold almost the same assets and therefore have identical exposure.
Their returns are also very similar.
However, their significant differences show in 3 areas:
- Brokerage
- Minimum Investment
- Net Assets
Brokerage
Vanguard has always been the first to offer very low-cost options for investing, and it was one of John Bogle's pioneering achievements.
As far as Fidelity, they have a responsibility to their shareholders to continue to increase their profits.
This means they could be using FSKAX as an industry “Loss Leader” in hopes that they can make a profit with other products.
Also, there is no guarantee they will continue to offer the FSKAX fund at such a low expense ratio. They could increase that fee anytime, which wouldn't be surprising.
On the other hand, Vanguard has a long history of lowering fees for its investors.
That being said, choosing the fund that best fits your investment goals is essential.
Minimum Investment
You need $3,000 as a minimum investment to invest in VTSAX; that's against the price of a share, which is required to start investing in FSKAX. For beginning investors, this may mean a lot.
Net Assets
VTSAX does provide higher liquidity with over $1 trillion in total net assets compared to 73 billion with FSKAX.
Factors like volatility and expense ratio are usually key metrics, but in this case, the difference between VTSAX vs FSKAX is insignificant.
The expense ratio difference is likely negligible over the long term.
If you are having trouble meeting the minimum requirement for VTSAX, you can always invest in VTI using the free M1 Finance App.