FCSTX vs. FTABX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FCSTX (Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund) and FTABX (Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, FCSTX returned 1.51%/yr vs 2.38%/yr for FTABX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FCSTX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for FTABX.

Performance

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (FCSTX) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FCSTX achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly lower than FTABX's 1.61% return. Over the past 10 years, FCSTX has underperformed FTABX with an annualized return of 1.51%, while FTABX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.38% annualized return.

FCSTX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 4.00%
• 3Y*: 3.53%
• 5Y*: 1.23%
• 10Y*: 1.51%

FTABX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.77%
• 3Y*: 4.46%
• 5Y*: 1.04%
• 10Y*: 2.38%

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

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FCSTX Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund	0.59%	5.23%	1.73%	3.53%	-4.71%	0.20%	2.93%	4.07%	1.25%	2.27%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	1.61%	5.60%	1.54%	7.51%	-10.74%	2.20%	4.80%	8.58%	0.67%	6.45%

Correlation

The correlation between FCSTX and FTABX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2005	0.75

The correlation between FCSTX and FTABX shifts across timeframes, from 0.68 (1 year) to 0.82 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FCSTX vs. FTABX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FCSTX

FCSTX Risk / Return Rank: 65
FCSTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
FCSTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FCSTX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
FCSTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
FCSTX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

FTABX

FTABX Risk / Return Rank: 70
FTABX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FTABX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
FTABX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
FTABX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
FTABX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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.

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (FCSTX) and Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX). 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.

	FCSTX	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.79	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.29	4.40	-0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.86	1.69	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	2.48	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.20	8.53	-2.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FCSTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the FTABX Sharpe Ratio of 2.79. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FCSTX and FTABX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FCSTX	FTABX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.79	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.25	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.56	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	1.05	+0.19

Drawdowns

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FCSTX drawdown since its inception was -7.58%, smaller than the maximum FTABX drawdown of -16.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FCSTX and FTABX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FCSTX	FTABX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.58%	-16.14%	+8.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.88%	-3.11%	+1.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.21%	-5.99%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.58%	-16.14%	+8.56%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.58%	-16.14%	+8.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.81%	-0.60%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.92%	-2.12%	+1.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.65%	0.90%	-0.25%

Volatility

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund (FCSTX) is 0.55%, while Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund (FTABX) has a volatility of 1.09%. This indicates that FCSTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTABX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FCSTX	FTABX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.55%	1.09%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.18%	2.14%	-0.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47%	2.76%	-1.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.10%	4.16%	-2.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.21%	4.29%	-2.08%

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FCSTX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than FTABX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

FCSTX vs. FTABX - Dividend Comparison

FCSTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.29%, less than FTABX's 3.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FCSTX Fidelity California Limited Term Tax-Free Bond Fund	2.29%	2.85%	2.00%	1.68%	1.01%	1.22%	1.68%	1.72%	1.71%	1.58%	1.89%	1.63%
FTABX Fidelity Tax-Free Bond Fund	3.21%	4.18%	2.81%	2.90%	2.16%	2.27%	2.64%	2.94%	3.01%	3.49%	4.22%	3.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FCSTX and FTABX in my portfolio?

FCSTX and FTABX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FCSTX or FTABX?

FTABX has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to FCSTX (0.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FCSTX dropped -7.58% vs FTABX's -16.14%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTABX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.79 vs 2.73), 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.