FKINX vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FKINX (Franklin Income Fund Class A1) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, FKINX returned 7.48%/yr vs 11.75%/yr for FBALX. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FKINX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

FKINX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Income Fund Class A1 (FKINX) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FKINX achieves a 5.16% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 10.05% return. Over the past 10 years, FKINX has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 7.48%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.75% annualized return.

FKINX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 5.16%
• 6M: 6.43%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 10.29%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 7.48%

FBALX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.59%
• YTD: 10.05%
• 6M: 10.46%
• 1Y: 25.09%
• 3Y*: 16.71%
• 5Y*: 9.37%
• 10Y*: 11.75%

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

FKINX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FKINX Franklin Income Fund Class A1	5.16%	12.24%	7.12%	8.65%	-5.29%	17.21%	3.57%	15.75%	-5.54%	8.43%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	10.05%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between FKINX and FBALX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 1986	0.65

The correlation between FKINX and FBALX shifts across timeframes, from 0.52 (1 year) to 0.70 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FKINX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FKINX

FKINX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FKINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FKINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FKINX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FKINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FKINX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FKINX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Income Fund Class A1 (FKINX) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX). 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.

	FKINX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.97	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	4.17	-0.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.57	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	3.93	+0.54
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.20	18.86	-0.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FKINX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FKINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FKINX and FBALX, 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

	FKINX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.76	2.97	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.77	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.92	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.81	+0.09

Drawdowns

FKINX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FKINX drawdown since its inception was -43.18%, roughly equal to the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FKINX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FKINX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.18%	-43.57%	+0.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.43%	-6.47%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.42%	-12.88%	+5.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.20%	-22.89%	+9.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.91%	-26.68%	+2.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-4.37%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	1.35%	-0.51%

Volatility

FKINX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Income Fund Class A1 (FKINX) is 1.20%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 2.58%. This indicates that FKINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FKINX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.20%	2.58%	-1.38%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.82%	6.81%	-2.99%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.41%	8.60%	-3.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.91%	12.18%	-4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.27%	12.78%	-3.51%

FKINX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FKINX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

FKINX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

FKINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.52%, more than FBALX's 5.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.15%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
FKINX Franklin Income Fund Class A1	5.52%	5.58%	5.59%	5.52%	5.22%	6.52%	5.22%	5.11%	5.34%	5.04%	5.19%	5.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FKINX and FBALX in my portfolio?

FKINX and FBALX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FKINX or FBALX?

FBALX has higher volatility (2.58%) compared to FKINX (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FKINX dropped -43.18% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.76), 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.