AOM vs. FBALX
AOM (iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. AOM is passively managed, while FBALX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, AOM returned 6.31%/yr vs 11.70%/yr for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AOM charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.
Performance
AOM vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AOM achieves a 4.75% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 8.71% return. Over the past 10 years, AOM has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 6.31%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.70% annualized return.
AOM
- 1D
- 0.04%
- 1M
- 0.49%
- YTD
- 4.75%
- 6M
- 5.32%
- 1Y
- 12.80%
- 3Y*
- 10.66%
- 5Y*
- 4.66%
- 10Y*
- 6.31%
FBALX
- 1D
- 1.52%
- 1M
- -0.11%
- YTD
- 8.71%
- 6M
- 9.51%
- 1Y
- 21.68%
- 3Y*
- 15.96%
- 5Y*
- 8.88%
- 10Y*
- 11.70%
AOM vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AOM iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF | 4.75% | 13.28% | 7.95% | 12.38% | -14.54% | 6.93% | 10.02% | 15.58% | -3.88% | 11.63% |
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund | 8.71% | 15.11% | 16.09% | 20.31% | -18.29% | 18.27% | 22.45% | 24.40% | -3.98% | 16.52% |
Correlation
The correlation between AOM and FBALX is 0.91, 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 | 0.91 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.88 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 11, 2008 | 0.86 |
The correlation between AOM and FBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
AOM vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank
AOM
FBALX
AOM vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF (AOM) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AOM | FBALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.58 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.69 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.47 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.52 | 3.44 | -0.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.84 | 16.08 | -5.24 |
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Drawdowns
AOM vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AOM drawdown since its inception was -19.96%, smaller than the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AOM and FBALX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AOM | FBALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.96% | -43.57% | +23.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.11% | -6.47% | +1.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.85% | -12.88% | +6.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.96% | -22.89% | +2.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -19.96% | -26.68% | +6.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.70% | -1.44% | +0.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -4.37% | +1.67% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.19% | 1.38% | -0.19% |
Volatility
AOM vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF (AOM) is 2.82%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 3.69%. This indicates that AOM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AOM | FBALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.82% | 3.69% | -0.87% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.63% | 7.41% | -1.78% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 6.90% | 9.06% | -2.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 8.19% | 12.24% | -4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.96% | 12.81% | -4.85% |
AOM vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison
AOM has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.
Dividends
AOM vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison
AOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.99%, less than FBALX's 5.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AOM iShares Core Moderate Allocation ETF | 2.99% | 2.98% | 3.10% | 2.79% | 2.27% | 1.56% | 2.02% | 2.66% | 2.53% | 3.31% | 2.14% | 1.98% |
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund | 5.22% | 5.69% | 5.67% | 2.28% | 8.06% | 9.66% | 5.90% | 4.24% | 10.99% | 7.90% | 3.07% | 7.70% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.91, AOM and FBALX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
FBALX has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to AOM (2.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AOM dropped -19.96% vs FBALX's -43.57%.
FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.87), 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.
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