FSIDX vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FSIDX (Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, FSIDX returned 9.83%/yr vs 11.77%/yr for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FSIDX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I (FSIDX) 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, FSIDX achieves a 12.84% return, which is significantly higher than FBALX's 10.30% return. Over the past 10 years, FSIDX has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 9.83%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.77% annualized return.

FSIDX

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 2.50%
• YTD: 12.84%
• 6M: 13.22%
• 1Y: 23.69%
• 3Y*: 15.08%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 9.83%

FBALX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 10.30%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: 24.95%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 11.77%

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

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FSIDX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I	12.84%	12.99%	11.46%	9.45%	-9.90%	18.98%	11.25%	22.47%	-4.43%	11.26%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	10.30%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between FSIDX and FBALX is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 26, 2003	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between FSIDX and FBALX has dropped to 0.70 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

FSIDX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FSIDX

FSIDX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FSIDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
FSIDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
FSIDX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FSIDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
FSIDX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
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.

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I (FSIDX) 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.

	FSIDX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.92	2.97	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	4.18	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.57	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.19	3.94	+0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.62	18.87	-1.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FSIDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.92, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FSIDX 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

	FSIDX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.92	2.97	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78	0.79	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.92	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.81	-0.26

Drawdowns

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FSIDX drawdown since its inception was -58.94%, which is greater than FBALX's maximum drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FSIDX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FSIDX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.94%	-43.57%	-15.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.78%	-6.47%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.55%	-12.88%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.10%	-22.89%	+5.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.01%	-26.68%	-3.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.34%	-4.37%	-1.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.37%	1.35%	+0.02%

Volatility

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I (FSIDX) is 2.33%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 2.58%. This indicates that FSIDX 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

	FSIDX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.33%	2.58%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.39%	6.80%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.29%	8.58%	-0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.98%	12.18%	-1.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.42%	12.78%	-0.36%

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FSIDX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

FSIDX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

FSIDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.08%, more than FBALX's 5.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.14%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
FSIDX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Dividend & Income Fund Class I	7.08%	7.95%	5.25%	5.70%	4.22%	8.42%	5.67%	6.69%	8.18%	6.59%	4.92%	6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FSIDX and FBALX in my portfolio?

FSIDX and FBALX have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FSIDX or FBALX?

FBALX has higher volatility (2.58%) compared to FSIDX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FSIDX dropped -58.94% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.92), 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.