FRDPX vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FRDPX (Franklin Rising Dividends Fund) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - FRDPX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Franklin Templeton, while FBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, FRDPX returned 11.53%/yr vs 11.98%/yr for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FRDPX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Rising Dividends Fund (FRDPX) 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, FRDPX achieves a 5.20% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 9.80% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FRDPX having a 11.53% annualized return and FBALX not far ahead at 11.98%.

FRDPX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 6M: 4.44%
• 1Y: 13.66%
• 3Y*: 11.46%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

FBALX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 9.80%
• 6M: 9.32%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 16.25%
• 5Y*: 9.12%
• 10Y*: 11.98%

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

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FRDPX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund	5.20%	11.96%	10.92%	12.10%	-10.69%	26.62%	16.29%	29.83%	-5.27%	17.33%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	9.80%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between FRDPX and FBALX is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 14, 1987	0.84

The correlation between FRDPX and FBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FRDPX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRDPX

FRDPX Risk / Return Rank: 32
FRDPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FRDPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FRDPX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
FRDPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
FRDPX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 85
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
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.

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Rising Dividends Fund (FRDPX) 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.

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.

	FRDPX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.58	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	3.58	-1.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.49	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	3.65	-1.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.15	17.07	-8.91

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRDPX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRDPX 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.

Drawdowns

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRDPX drawdown since its inception was -51.57%, which is greater than FBALX's maximum drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRDPX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRDPX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.57%	-43.57%	-8.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.10%	-6.47%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.26%	-12.88%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.07%	-22.89%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.89%	-26.68%	-8.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.51%	-0.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-4.37%	-1.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.82%	1.38%	+0.44%

Volatility

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Rising Dividends Fund (FRDPX) is 2.79%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 3.67%. This indicates that FRDPX 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

	FRDPX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	3.67%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.83%	7.48%	+0.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.28%	9.18%	+1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	12.26%	+3.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	12.82%	+4.37%

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRDPX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRDPX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

FRDPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.72%, more than FBALX's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.16%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
FRDPX Franklin Rising Dividends Fund	9.72%	10.25%	10.15%	4.60%	4.96%	4.42%	0.82%	3.01%	5.20%	0.90%	3.09%	5.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRDPX and FBALX in my portfolio?

FRDPX and FBALX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FRDPX or FBALX?

FBALX has higher volatility (3.67%) compared to FRDPX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRDPX dropped -51.57% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 1.45), 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.