PRCHX vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PRCHX (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, PRCHX returned 11.41% vs 21.68% for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRCHX charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I (PRCHX) 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, PRCHX achieves a 2.61% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 8.71% return.

PRCHX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -0.41%
• YTD: 2.61%
• 6M: 3.48%
• 1Y: 11.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FBALX

• 1D: 1.52%
• 1M: -0.11%
• YTD: 8.71%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 21.68%
• 3Y*: 15.96%
• 5Y*: 8.88%
• 10Y*: 11.70%

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

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
PRCHX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I	2.61%	13.68%	8.92%	3.12%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	8.71%	15.11%	16.09%	4.27%

Correlation

The correlation between PRCHX and FBALX is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2023	0.89

The correlation between PRCHX and FBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRCHX vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRCHX

PRCHX Risk / Return Rank: 75
PRCHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
PRCHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
PRCHX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
PRCHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
PRCHX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I (PRCHX) 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.

	PRCHX	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.45	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.39	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.47	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.44	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.99	16.08	-3.08

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRCHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRCHX 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

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRCHX drawdown since its inception was -6.10%, smaller than the maximum FBALX drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRCHX and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRCHX	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.10%	-43.57%	+37.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.50%	-6.47%	+1.97%
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	-1.37%	-1.44%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.65%	-4.37%	+3.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	1.38%	-0.47%

Volatility

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I (PRCHX) is 2.18%, while Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) has a volatility of 3.69%. This indicates that PRCHX 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

	PRCHX	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.18%	3.69%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.44%	7.41%	-2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.46%	9.06%	-3.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.56%	12.24%	-5.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.56%	12.81%	-6.25%

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRCHX has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRCHX vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

PRCHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.20%, which matches 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%
PRCHX T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation and Income Fund Class I	5.20%	5.08%	3.22%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRCHX and FBALX in my portfolio?

PRCHX and FBALX have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRCHX or FBALX?

FBALX has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to PRCHX (2.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRCHX dropped -6.10% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 2.16), 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.