FPUKX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

FPUKX (Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, FPUKX returned 10.98%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for VBAIX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. FPUKX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K (FPUKX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPUKX achieves a 6.78% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, FPUKX has outperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 10.98%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.67% annualized return.

FPUKX

• 1D: 1.35%
• 1M: -2.67%
• 6M: 4.65%
• YTD: 6.78%
• 1Y: 14.59%
• 3Y*: 14.28%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 10.98%
• ALL TIME*: 9.10%

VBAIX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -0.81%
• 6M: 4.74%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 1Y: 13.39%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 7.53%
• 10Y*: 9.67%
• ALL TIME*: 7.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FPUKX Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FPUKX Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K	6.78%	12.31%	19.03%	20.26%	-17.26%	18.99%	20.70%	21.40%	-4.15%	18.37%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.84%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between FPUKX and VBAIX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 9, 2008	0.96

The correlation between FPUKX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FPUKX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FPUKX

FPUKX Risk / Return Rank: 47
FPUKX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
FPUKX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FPUKX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
FPUKX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
FPUKX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K (FPUKX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	FPUKX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	1.45	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.07	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.26	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	2.13	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	9.09	-1.90

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPUKX Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPUKX and VBAIX, 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

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPUKX drawdown since its inception was -37.81%, which is greater than VBAIX's maximum drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPUKX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPUKX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.81%	-35.82%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.24%	-5.84%	-1.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.46%	-11.57%	-4.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.52%	-21.52%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.91%	-22.77%	-1.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.45%	-1.46%	-2.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-4.40%	-0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	1.36%	+0.56%

Volatility

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K (FPUKX) has a higher volatility of 3.43% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) at 2.31%. This indicates that FPUKX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPUKX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.43%	2.31%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.36%	6.84%	+2.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.29%	8.56%	+2.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.49%	11.19%	+2.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.18%	11.25%	+1.93%

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPUKX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPUKX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

FPUKX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.03%, more than VBAIX's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPUKX Fidelity Puritan Fund Class K	6.03%	6.91%	11.37%	5.42%	9.47%	13.20%	5.17%	4.38%	15.38%	3.84%	3.82%	7.60%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.39%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPUKX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, FPUKX and VBAIX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FPUKX or VBAIX?

FPUKX has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to VBAIX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPUKX dropped -37.81% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.23), 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.