FAELX vs. FNILX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FAELX (Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund) and FNILX (Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund) are both mutual funds - FAELX is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by Fidelity, while FNILX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past year, FAELX returned 21.19% vs 26.85% for FNILX. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAELX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.00%/yr for FNILX.

Performance

FAELX vs. FNILX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX) and Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with FAELX having a 9.70% return and FNILX slightly higher at 10.04%.

FAELX

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 2.54%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 9.78%
• 1Y: 21.19%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FNILX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 10.04%
• 6M: 9.55%
• 1Y: 26.85%
• 3Y*: 21.23%
• 5Y*: 13.82%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAELX vs. FNILX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
FAELX Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund	9.70%	17.33%
FNILX Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund	10.04%	18.03%

Correlation

The correlation between FAELX and FNILX is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2025	0.71

The correlation between FAELX and FNILX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAELX vs. FNILX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FAELX

FAELX Risk / Return Rank: 77
FAELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
FAELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
FAELX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
FAELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
FAELX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FNILX

FNILX Risk / Return Rank: 63
FNILX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
FNILX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
FNILX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
FNILX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FNILX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FAELX vs. FNILX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX) and Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX). 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.

	FAELX	FNILX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.12	+0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	2.86	+0.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.38	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	2.96	+0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.00	13.10	+0.90

FAELX vs. FNILX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the FNILX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAELX and FNILX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FAELX vs. FNILX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAELX drawdown since its inception was -11.54%, smaller than the maximum FNILX drawdown of -33.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAELX and FNILX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAELX	FNILX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.54%	-33.76%	+22.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.76%	-9.01%	+1.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.08%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.40%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.36%	+1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.44%	-5.35%	+3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	2.03%	-0.35%

Volatility

FAELX vs. FNILX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund (FAELX) is 4.45%, while Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund (FNILX) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that FAELX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FNILX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAELX	FNILX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.45%	4.91%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	9.97%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.77%	12.58%	-1.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.22%	17.35%	-4.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.22%	20.04%	-6.82%

FAELX vs. FNILX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAELX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than FNILX's 0.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAELX vs. FNILX - Dividend Comparison

FAELX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FNILX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.92%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FAELX Connecticut Higher Education Trust 529 College Savings Plan - CT 529 Moderate Growth Portfolio Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
FNILX Fidelity ZERO Large Cap Index Fund	0.92%	1.01%	1.09%	1.34%	1.53%	0.95%	1.20%	1.17%	0.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAELX and FNILX in my portfolio?

FAELX and FNILX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAELX or FNILX?

FNILX has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to FAELX (4.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAELX dropped -11.54% vs FNILX's -33.76%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 2.12), 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.