Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund
Figures last verified October 31, 2026
Tracks the Russell 2000 Index — 2,000 small US companies.
FSSNX tracks the Russell 2000, the small-cap benchmark every financial channel quotes, for 0.025% — a fee so low it's worth remembering that active small-cap managers justify 1%+ fees precisely by claiming this segment is inefficient. Some genuinely beat it; predicting which ones, in advance, net of fees, remains the unsolved problem.
A wrinkle worth knowing: the Russell 2000 reconstitutes mechanically each June, and its small caps run smaller and junkier than the CRSP small-cap index behind VSMAX. Historically that's made Russell-tracking funds slightly lower-returning than CRSP-tracking ones — an argument for VSMAX if you're choosing in a vacuum, and an argument for not caring much if FSSNX is what your plan offers. The tilt decision matters; the index brand is a footnote.
Russell 2000 exposure at index-war pricing.
FSSNX alternatives & comparable funds
If you’re weighing FSSNX against the field, these are the funds most investors line it up against — same job, different provider, slightly different terms.
| Fund | Family | Expense Ratio | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSSNX — Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund | Fidelity | 0.025% | $0 |
| VSMAX — Vanguard Small-Cap Index F… | Vanguard | 0.05% | $3,000 |
| SWSSX — Schwab Small-Cap Index Fund | Schwab | 0.04% | $0 |
| FSMDX — Fidelity Mid Cap Index Fund | Fidelity | 0.025% | $0 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the expense ratio of FSSNX?
FSSNX (Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund) has an expense ratio of 0.025%, which works out to roughly $2.50 per year for every $10,000 invested. That is very low by industry standards, where the average fund still charges well over 0.40%.
What is the minimum investment for FSSNX?
FSSNX has no minimum initial investment — you can start with any amount.
What does FSSNX invest in?
Tracks the Russell 2000 Index — 2,000 small US companies. It falls in the small cap category and is an index fund.
What are good alternatives to FSSNX?
The funds most often compared with FSSNX are VSMAX, SWSSX, FSMDX — broadly similar exposure from different providers, with small differences in fee, minimum, and portability that usually come down to which brokerage holds your account.
Expense ratio and minimum for FSSNX drawn from Fidelity fund documentation; last verified October 31, 2026. Figures change — confirm against the official prospectus before investing. This review is editorial opinion, not investment advice.