ITDC vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ITDC (Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both funds - ITDC is a Target Retirement Date fund actively managed by iShares, while FBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Fidelity. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ITDC returned 19.52% vs 24.95% for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ITDC charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

ITDC vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF (ITDC) 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, ITDC achieves a 7.85% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 10.30% return.

ITDC

• 1D: -0.50%
• 1M: 3.02%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 6M: 8.24%
• 1Y: 19.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

ITDC vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ITDC Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF	7.85%	16.10%	11.41%	12.40%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	10.30%	15.11%	16.09%	10.89%

Correlation

The correlation between ITDC and FBALX is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2023	0.93

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

Return for Risk

ITDC vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITDC

ITDC Risk / Return Rank: 68
ITDC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ITDC Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ITDC Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ITDC Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ITDC Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

ITDC vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF (ITDC) 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.

	ITDC	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	2.97	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.24	4.18	-0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.57	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	3.94	-0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.15	18.87	-5.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITDC vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITDC Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITDC 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

	ITDC	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	2.97	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.79	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.92	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.88	0.81	+1.06

Drawdowns

ITDC vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITDC drawdown since its inception was -10.39%, smaller than the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITDC and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITDC	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.39%	-43.57%	+33.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.63%	-6.47%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.88%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-22.89%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	0.00%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.08%	-4.37%	+3.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	1.35%	+0.14%

Volatility

ITDC vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF (ITDC) has a higher volatility of 2.82% compared to Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) at 2.58%. This indicates that ITDC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITDC	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.82%	2.58%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.92%	6.80%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.58%	8.58%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.05%	12.18%	-2.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.05%	12.78%	-2.73%

ITDC vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITDC has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITDC vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

ITDC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less 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%
ITDC Ishares Lifepath Target Date 2035 ETF	1.88%	2.02%	1.93%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ITDC and FBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, ITDC 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, ITDC or FBALX?

ITDC has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to FBALX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITDC dropped -10.39% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.28), 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.