FDIAX vs. VBTIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FDIAX (Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A) and VBTIX (Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Total Bond Market funds. Over the past 10 years, FDIAX returned 2.04%/yr vs 1.58%/yr for VBTIX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDIAX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBTIX.

Performance

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A (FDIAX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDIAX achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly higher than VBTIX's 0.43% return. Over the past 10 years, FDIAX has outperformed VBTIX with an annualized return of 2.04%, while VBTIX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.58% annualized return.

FDIAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 6M: 0.90%
• 1Y: 4.29%
• 3Y*: 4.94%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 2.04%

VBTIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 0.43%
• 6M: 0.35%
• 1Y: 5.36%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.22%
• 10Y*: 1.58%

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

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FDIAX Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A	0.59%	6.38%	4.09%	5.76%	-6.45%	-1.62%	4.86%	5.72%	0.40%	1.58%
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.43%	7.18%	1.27%	5.75%	-13.15%	-1.95%	7.75%	8.74%	-0.24%	3.56%

Correlation

The correlation between FDIAX and VBTIX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 1995	0.85

The correlation between FDIAX and VBTIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FDIAX vs. VBTIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FDIAX

FDIAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
FDIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
FDIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
FDIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
FDIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
FDIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VBTIX

VBTIX Risk / Return Rank: 23
VBTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
VBTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
VBTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
VBTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VBTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A (FDIAX) and Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX). 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.

	FDIAX	VBTIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	1.36	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	2.05	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.24	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.64	1.86	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.80	5.60	+4.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is higher than the VBTIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDIAX and VBTIX, 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

	FDIAX	VBTIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	1.36	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.04	+0.61
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.32	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.04	0.95	+0.10

Drawdowns

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDIAX drawdown since its inception was -12.45%, smaller than the maximum VBTIX drawdown of -18.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDIAX and VBTIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FDIAX	VBTIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.45%	-18.90%	+6.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.63%	-2.89%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.63%	-5.99%	+4.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-9.99%	-18.13%	+8.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.20%	-18.90%	+8.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-2.25%	+1.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.72%	-2.32%	+0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.44%	0.96%	-0.52%

Volatility

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A (FDIAX) is 0.73%, while Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBTIX) has a volatility of 1.38%. This indicates that FDIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBTIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FDIAX	VBTIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.73%	1.38%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.59%	2.80%	-1.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.11%	3.97%	-1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.76%	6.02%	-3.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.40%	4.98%	-2.58%

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDIAX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VBTIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDIAX vs. VBTIX - Dividend Comparison

FDIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, less than VBTIX's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FDIAX Fidelity Advisor Limited Term Bond Fund Class A	3.78%	3.63%	2.57%	1.90%	1.03%	1.09%	2.09%	2.14%	1.99%	1.48%	1.55%	1.31%
VBTIX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.99%	3.88%	3.69%	3.12%	2.61%	1.81%	2.41%	2.75%	2.58%	2.56%	2.54%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FDIAX and VBTIX in my portfolio?

FDIAX and VBTIX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FDIAX or VBTIX?

VBTIX has higher volatility (1.38%) compared to FDIAX (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDIAX dropped -12.45% vs VBTIX's -18.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FDIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.36), 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.