FVCSX vs. ARGFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FVCSX (Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C) and ARGFX (Ariel Fund) are both Mid Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, FVCSX returned 9.66%/yr vs 9.80%/yr for ARGFX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FVCSX charges 1.92%/yr vs 1.00%/yr for ARGFX.

Performance

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C (FVCSX) and Ariel Fund (ARGFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FVCSX achieves a 20.48% return, which is significantly higher than ARGFX's 4.63% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FVCSX having a 9.66% annualized return and ARGFX not far ahead at 9.80%.

FVCSX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 3.38%
• YTD: 20.48%
• 6M: 22.00%
• 1Y: 38.90%
• 3Y*: 11.93%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: 9.66%

ARGFX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 2.97%
• YTD: 4.63%
• 6M: 7.63%
• 1Y: 27.71%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

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

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FVCSX Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C	20.48%	7.23%	-6.69%	19.32%	-8.35%	31.94%	7.10%	33.09%	-17.58%	16.92%
ARGFX Ariel Fund	4.63%	14.08%	11.56%	15.78%	-18.68%	30.29%	10.05%	24.64%	-13.59%	15.99%

Correlation

The correlation between FVCSX and ARGFX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1994	0.81

The correlation between FVCSX and ARGFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (all time) to 0.91 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FVCSX vs. ARGFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FVCSX

FVCSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
FVCSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
FVCSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
FVCSX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
FVCSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FVCSX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

ARGFX

ARGFX Risk / Return Rank: 31
ARGFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
ARGFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ARGFX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
ARGFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
ARGFX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C (FVCSX) and Ariel Fund (ARGFX). 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.

	FVCSX	ARGFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	1.56	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	2.30	+1.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.27	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.20	2.38	+1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.50	7.01	+8.49
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FVCSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is higher than the ARGFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FVCSX and ARGFX, 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

	FVCSX	ARGFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	1.56	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.21	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.43	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.29	0.54	-0.26

Drawdowns

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FVCSX drawdown since its inception was -70.38%, roughly equal to the maximum ARGFX drawdown of -71.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FVCSX and ARGFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FVCSX	ARGFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.38%	-71.02%	+0.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.89%	-12.36%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.07%	-28.07%	-9.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.07%	-33.00%	-4.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.07%	-45.29%	-2.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.79%	+3.79%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.19%	-8.46%	-2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	4.18%	-1.50%

Volatility

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C (FVCSX) is 4.26%, while Ariel Fund (ARGFX) has a volatility of 5.02%. This indicates that FVCSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ARGFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FVCSX	ARGFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	5.02%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.93%	13.29%	-1.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.99%	18.91%	-1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.05%	22.41%	-1.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.19%	22.80%	-0.61%

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FVCSX has a 1.92% expense ratio, which is higher than ARGFX's 1.00% expense ratio.

Dividends

FVCSX vs. ARGFX - Dividend Comparison

FVCSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.85%, less than ARGFX's 11.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ARGFX Ariel Fund	11.28%	11.80%	5.49%	5.09%	9.01%	5.56%	5.33%	5.81%	10.35%	6.30%	6.56%	16.28%
FVCSX Fidelity Advisor Value Strategies Fund Class C	10.85%	13.08%	0.00%	2.96%	2.23%	9.80%	0.33%	5.50%	18.83%	8.78%	25.66%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FVCSX and ARGFX in my portfolio?

FVCSX and ARGFX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FVCSX or ARGFX?

ARGFX has higher volatility (5.02%) compared to FVCSX (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FVCSX dropped -70.38% vs ARGFX's -71.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FVCSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.56), 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.