FAFSX vs. VTMFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FAFSX (Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M) and VTMFX (Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - FAFSX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while VTMFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the Composite benchmark: Russell 1000 Index and Bloomberg 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index. Over the past 10 years, FAFSX returned 14.12%/yr vs 8.70%/yr for VTMFX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FAFSX charges 1.28%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VTMFX.

Performance

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M (FAFSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAFSX achieves a 2.67% return, which is significantly lower than VTMFX's 5.23% return. Over the past 10 years, FAFSX has outperformed VTMFX with an annualized return of 14.12%, while VTMFX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.70% annualized return.

FAFSX

• 1D: 0.71%
• 1M: 4.30%
• YTD: 2.67%
• 6M: 1.06%
• 1Y: 12.77%
• 3Y*: 25.49%
• 5Y*: 12.46%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

VTMFX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 5.23%
• 6M: 4.83%
• 1Y: 14.99%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: 7.01%
• 10Y*: 8.70%

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

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAFSX Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M	2.67%	14.61%	38.47%	13.74%	-9.15%	32.60%	-0.54%	33.44%	-16.30%	20.14%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	5.23%	11.28%	12.17%	15.55%	-12.69%	13.10%	13.31%	18.01%	-1.40%	12.61%

Correlation

The correlation between FAFSX and VTMFX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 1996	0.78

Over the past year, the correlation between FAFSX and VTMFX has dropped to 0.57 - well below their long-term average of 0.78, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FAFSX vs. VTMFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAFSX

FAFSX Risk / Return Rank: 12
FAFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
FAFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
FAFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 12
FAFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
FAFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

VTMFX

VTMFX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VTMFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
VTMFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VTMFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
VTMFX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M (FAFSX) and Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX). 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.

	FAFSX	VTMFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.91	2.43	-1.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.32	3.42	-2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.46	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	2.91	-1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.16	13.60	-10.45

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAFSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.91, which is lower than the VTMFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAFSX and VTMFX, 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

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAFSX drawdown since its inception was -75.78%, which is greater than VTMFX's maximum drawdown of -28.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAFSX and VTMFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAFSX	VTMFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.78%	-28.49%	-47.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.10%	-5.38%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.46%	-10.61%	-8.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.33%	-17.40%	-7.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.03%	-21.87%	-24.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.47%	-0.75%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.01%	-3.54%	-14.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.63%	1.15%	+3.48%

Volatility

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M (FAFSX) has a higher volatility of 4.39% compared to Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares (VTMFX) at 2.45%. This indicates that FAFSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTMFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAFSX	VTMFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.39%	2.45%	+1.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.21%	5.18%	+7.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.10%	6.46%	+9.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.99%	8.57%	+12.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.86%	9.15%	+14.71%

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAFSX has a 1.28% expense ratio, which is higher than VTMFX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAFSX vs. VTMFX - Dividend Comparison

FAFSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.63%, more than VTMFX's 2.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAFSX Fidelity Advisor Financial Services Fund Class M	6.63%	6.81%	9.29%	2.09%	5.75%	4.06%	2.24%	0.98%	3.73%	0.06%	0.11%	0.41%
VTMFX Vanguard Tax-Managed Balanced Fund Admiral Shares	2.12%	2.14%	2.08%	1.94%	1.85%	1.38%	1.72%	2.05%	2.22%	2.00%	2.13%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAFSX and VTMFX in my portfolio?

FAFSX and VTMFX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAFSX or VTMFX?

FAFSX has higher volatility (4.39%) compared to VTMFX (2.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAFSX dropped -75.78% vs VTMFX's -28.49%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTMFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 0.91), 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.