Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX) is a mutual fund from Fidelity Investments (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is a ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year FNILX returned +19.72% while VXUS returned +28.78%. Year to date, FNILX is up 11.25% versus a gain of 13.57% for VXUS.

Over three years, FNILX compounded at +19.71% per year against +18.63% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +11.35% and +9.05% respectively. Across the full 5-year window we track, FNILX has the edge at +11.35% annualized vs +4.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

FNILX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.4% compared with 15.1% for VXUS. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -26.6% for FNILX and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

FNILX charges 0.00% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $5 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNILX currently yields 0.92% against 2.60% for VXUS.