FISEX vs. LEIFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FISEX (Franklin Equity Income Fund) and LEIFX (Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FISEX returned 11.69%/yr vs 7.84%/yr for LEIFX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FISEX charges 0.85%/yr vs 1.11%/yr for LEIFX.

Performance

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Equity Income Fund (FISEX) and Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FISEX achieves a 8.59% return, which is significantly higher than LEIFX's 5.16% return. Over the past 10 years, FISEX has outperformed LEIFX with an annualized return of 11.69%, while LEIFX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.84% annualized return.

FISEX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 8.59%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 17.42%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

LEIFX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.67%
• YTD: 5.16%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 19.01%
• 3Y*: 9.62%
• 5Y*: 4.40%
• 10Y*: 7.84%

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

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FISEX Franklin Equity Income Fund	8.59%	17.05%	18.11%	9.04%	-6.88%	25.42%	5.53%	25.51%	-4.76%	15.99%
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	5.16%	15.18%	-0.45%	8.82%	-7.96%	21.12%	6.43%	21.27%	-12.13%	16.06%

Correlation

The correlation between FISEX and LEIFX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 1988	0.85

Over the past year, the correlation between FISEX and LEIFX has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.85, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FISEX vs. LEIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FISEX

FISEX Risk / Return Rank: 78
FISEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
FISEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FISEX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
FISEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FISEX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

LEIFX

LEIFX Risk / Return Rank: 53
LEIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
LEIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
LEIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
LEIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
LEIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Equity Income Fund (FISEX) and Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX). 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.

	FISEX	LEIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.60	2.04	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	3.01	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.92	3.18	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.53	10.02	+5.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FISEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.60, which is comparable to the LEIFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FISEX and LEIFX, 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

	FISEX	LEIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.60	2.04	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.29	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.45	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.46	+0.14

Drawdowns

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FISEX drawdown since its inception was -56.54%, which is greater than LEIFX's maximum drawdown of -49.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FISEX and LEIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FISEX	LEIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.54%	-49.19%	-7.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.41%	-6.01%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.18%	-25.60%	+9.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.66%	-25.60%	+6.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.97%	-36.86%	+3.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.65%	+3.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.44%	-10.04%	+3.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.90%	-0.28%

Volatility

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Equity Income Fund (FISEX) is 2.48%, while Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund (LEIFX) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that FISEX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than LEIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FISEX	LEIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	2.82%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.50%	7.07%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.66%	9.38%	+0.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.57%	15.13%	-0.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.17%	17.39%	-1.22%

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FISEX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is lower than LEIFX's 1.11% expense ratio.

Dividends

FISEX vs. LEIFX - Dividend Comparison

FISEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.29%, less than LEIFX's 24.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FISEX Franklin Equity Income Fund	9.29%	10.11%	10.50%	4.22%	5.60%	7.19%	3.05%	5.00%	6.99%	4.81%	6.45%	5.38%
LEIFX Federated Hermes Equity Income Fund	24.27%	24.92%	0.82%	1.08%	7.54%	16.37%	1.17%	2.01%	19.47%	5.34%	3.98%	3.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FISEX and LEIFX in my portfolio?

FISEX and LEIFX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FISEX or LEIFX?

LEIFX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to FISEX (2.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FISEX dropped -56.54% vs LEIFX's -49.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FISEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 2.04), 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.