GARTX vs. FBALX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

GARTX (Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GARTX returned 4.98%/yr vs 11.36%/yr for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GARTX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

GARTX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A (GARTX) 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, GARTX achieves a 5.47% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 8.97% return. Over the past 10 years, GARTX has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 4.98%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.36% annualized return.

GARTX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -0.37%
• 6M: 3.95%
• YTD: 5.47%
• 1Y: 11.60%
• 3Y*: 7.86%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: 4.98%
• ALL TIME*: 2.83%

FBALX

• 1D: 1.16%
• 1M: -0.98%
• 6M: 7.04%
• YTD: 8.97%
• 1Y: 18.20%
• 3Y*: 14.64%
• 5Y*: 8.55%
• 10Y*: 11.36%
• ALL TIME*: 9.08%

*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)
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
GARTX Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

GARTX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GARTX Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A	5.47%	9.36%	6.62%	10.45%	-6.61%	6.06%	3.30%	10.36%	-2.80%	6.93%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	8.97%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between GARTX and FBALX is 0.92, 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.	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2008	0.85

The correlation between GARTX and FBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GARTX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GARTX

GARTX Risk / Return Rank: 74
GARTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
GARTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
GARTX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
GARTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
GARTX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 81
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

GARTX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A (GARTX) 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.

	GARTX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.82	-0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.57	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.67	-0.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.21	12.02	-1.82

GARTX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GARTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GARTX 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

GARTX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GARTX drawdown since its inception was -19.12%, smaller than the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GARTX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GARTX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.12%	-43.57%	+24.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.29%	-6.47%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.47%	-12.88%	+4.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.17%	-22.89%	+11.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.24%	-26.68%	+13.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-1.73%	+0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-4.36%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.05%	1.44%	-0.39%

Volatility

GARTX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A (GARTX) is 2.02%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 2.56%. This indicates that GARTX 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

	GARTX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.02%	2.56%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.24%	7.72%	-2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.37%	9.49%	-3.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.77%	12.27%	-5.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.51%	12.79%	-6.28%

GARTX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GARTX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

GARTX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

GARTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.77%, less than FBALX's 5.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.22%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
GARTX Goldman Sachs Absolute Return Tracker Fund Class A	1.77%	1.87%	0.81%	2.49%	5.02%	9.26%	0.63%	3.33%	2.38%	3.58%	0.41%	1.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GARTX and FBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, GARTX and FBALX 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, GARTX or FBALX?

FBALX has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to GARTX (2.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GARTX dropped -19.12% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.69), 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.