NWQIX vs. FSIRX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NWQIX (Nuveen Flexible Income Fund) and FSIRX (Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, NWQIX returned 5.66%/yr vs 5.72%/yr for FSIRX. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I (FSIRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NWQIX achieves a 5.24% return, which is significantly lower than FSIRX's 8.63% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with NWQIX having a 5.66% annualized return and FSIRX not far ahead at 5.72%.

NWQIX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 5.24%
• 6M: 6.58%
• 1Y: 15.05%
• 3Y*: 10.88%
• 5Y*: 4.49%
• 10Y*: 5.66%

FSIRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.00%
• YTD: 8.63%
• 6M: 9.00%
• 1Y: 16.32%
• 3Y*: 10.16%
• 5Y*: 6.22%
• 10Y*: 5.72%

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

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NWQIX Nuveen Flexible Income Fund	5.24%	12.22%	6.03%	11.61%	-13.64%	4.94%	5.54%	18.57%	-4.07%	9.18%
FSIRX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I	8.63%	10.38%	5.83%	4.58%	-3.34%	15.89%	3.72%	10.55%	-3.99%	4.10%

Correlation

The correlation between NWQIX and FSIRX is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between NWQIX and FSIRX has dropped to 0.30 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

NWQIX vs. FSIRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NWQIX

NWQIX Risk / Return Rank: 96
NWQIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
NWQIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
NWQIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
NWQIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
NWQIX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

FSIRX

FSIRX Risk / Return Rank: 96
FSIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FSIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
FSIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FSIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FSIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I (FSIRX). 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.

	NWQIX	FSIRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.93	3.46	+0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.29	4.85	+1.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.89	1.69	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.14	7.98	-2.84
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	24.49	31.11	-6.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NWQIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.93, which is comparable to the FSIRX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NWQIX and FSIRX, 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

	NWQIX	FSIRX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.93	3.46	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.90	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.85	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.77	0.61	+0.16

Drawdowns

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NWQIX drawdown since its inception was -23.89%, smaller than the maximum FSIRX drawdown of -33.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NWQIX and FSIRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NWQIX	FSIRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.89%	-33.39%	+9.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.94%	-2.05%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.59%	-5.81%	+1.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.75%	-12.82%	-4.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.89%	-19.98%	-3.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.83%	+0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.00%	-4.17%	+1.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.61%	0.53%	+0.08%

Volatility

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Nuveen Flexible Income Fund (NWQIX) is 1.19%, while Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I (FSIRX) has a volatility of 1.29%. This indicates that NWQIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FSIRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NWQIX	FSIRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.19%	1.29%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.00%	3.76%	-0.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.85%	4.74%	-0.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.68%	6.91%	-1.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.32%	6.74%	-0.42%

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both NWQIX and FSIRX have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

NWQIX vs. FSIRX - Dividend Comparison

NWQIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.93%, more than FSIRX's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSIRX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class I	4.19%	4.72%	4.80%	5.28%	7.33%	5.37%	2.23%	3.09%	9.42%	2.63%	2.37%	1.75%
NWQIX Nuveen Flexible Income Fund	5.93%	6.52%	5.20%	7.84%	7.02%	4.39%	4.82%	5.71%	6.23%	5.67%	5.52%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NWQIX and FSIRX in my portfolio?

NWQIX and FSIRX have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NWQIX or FSIRX?

FSIRX has higher volatility (1.29%) compared to NWQIX (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NWQIX dropped -23.89% vs FSIRX's -33.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NWQIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.93 vs 3.46), 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.