FBALX vs. DFCF

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) and DFCF (Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF) are both funds - FBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Fidelity, while DFCF is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Dimensional. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FBALX returned 15.96%/yr vs 5.07%/yr for DFCF. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FBALX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for DFCF.

Performance

FBALX vs. DFCF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) and Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FBALX achieves a 8.71% return, which is significantly higher than DFCF's 0.63% return.

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%

DFCF

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.39%
• YTD: 0.63%
• 6M: 1.08%
• 1Y: 5.09%
• 3Y*: 5.07%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

FBALX vs. DFCF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	8.71%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	0.08%
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	0.63%	7.89%	1.86%	6.94%	-14.48%	0.04%

Correlation

The correlation between FBALX and DFCF is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2021	0.37

The correlation between FBALX and DFCF shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (all time) to 0.47 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FBALX vs. DFCF — Risk / Return Rank

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

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

DFCF

DFCF Risk / Return Rank: 40
DFCF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
DFCF Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
DFCF Omega Ratio Rank: 38
DFCF Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
DFCF Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

FBALX vs. DFCF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) and Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF). 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.

	FBALX	DFCF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.30	+1.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	1.90	+1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.23	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	1.83	+1.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.08	5.39	+10.69

FBALX vs. DFCF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FBALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the DFCF Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FBALX and DFCF, 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

FBALX vs. DFCF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FBALX drawdown since its inception was -43.57%, which is greater than DFCF's maximum drawdown of -19.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FBALX and DFCF.

Drawdown Indicators

	FBALX	DFCF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.57%	-19.56%	-24.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-2.79%	-3.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.88%	-5.05%	-7.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.44%	-1.20%	-0.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-7.99%	+3.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.38%	0.95%	+0.43%

Volatility

FBALX vs. DFCF - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (DFCF) at 1.44%. This indicates that FBALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFCF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FBALX	DFCF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	1.44%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.41%	2.98%	+4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	3.96%	+5.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.24%	6.45%	+5.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.81%	6.45%	+6.36%

FBALX vs. DFCF - Expense Ratio Comparison

FBALX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than DFCF's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

FBALX vs. DFCF - Dividend Comparison

FBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.22%, more than DFCF's 4.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFCF Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF	4.30%	4.48%	4.61%	4.51%	3.27%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both FBALX and DFCF in my portfolio?

FBALX and DFCF have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FBALX or DFCF?

FBALX has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to DFCF (1.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FBALX dropped -43.57% vs DFCF's -19.56%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.30), 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.