SOR vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SOR (Source Capital, Inc.) is a stock, while FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) is Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 10 years, SOR returned 9.41%/yr vs 11.77%/yr for FBALX. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

SOR vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Source Capital, Inc. (SOR) 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, SOR achieves a 1.32% return, which is significantly lower than FBALX's 10.30% return. Over the past 10 years, SOR has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 9.41%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.77% annualized return.

SOR

• 1D: -1.11%
• 1M: -1.95%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: -4.36%
• 1Y: 12.22%
• 3Y*: 15.42%
• 5Y*: 8.76%
• 10Y*: 9.41%

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)

SOR vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOR Source Capital, Inc.	1.32%	11.47%	21.28%	12.59%	-5.24%	20.66%	7.68%	22.20%	-10.41%	18.52%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	10.30%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between SOR and FBALX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 1997	0.52

The correlation between SOR and FBALX shifts across timeframes, from 0.40 (1 year) to 0.63 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SOR vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOR

SOR Risk / Return Rank: 65
SOR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SOR Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SOR Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SOR Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
SOR Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

SOR vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Source Capital, Inc. (SOR) 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.

	SOR	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.97	-2.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	4.18	-2.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.57	-0.39
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.34	3.94	-2.60
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.67	18.87	-15.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SOR vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOR Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOR 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

	SOR	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	2.97	-2.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.79	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.92	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.81	-0.34

Drawdowns

SOR vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOR drawdown since its inception was -65.51%, which is greater than FBALX's maximum drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOR and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOR	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.51%	-43.57%	-21.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.18%	-6.47%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-12.88%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.47%	-22.89%	+5.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	-26.68%	-12.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.61%	0.00%	-6.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.43%	-4.37%	-4.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.34%	1.35%	+1.99%

Volatility

SOR vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

Source Capital, Inc. (SOR) and Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) have volatilities of 2.68% and 2.58%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOR	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.68%	2.58%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.86%	6.80%	+5.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.67%	8.58%	+5.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.30%	12.18%	+3.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.48%	12.78%	+3.70%

Dividends

SOR vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

SOR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.51%, more 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%
SOR Source Capital, Inc.	5.51%	5.46%	11.86%	7.22%	5.74%	11.09%	4.11%	2.58%	12.90%	4.24%	98.00%	6.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOR and FBALX in my portfolio?

SOR and FBALX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOR or FBALX?

SOR has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to FBALX (2.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOR dropped -65.51% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 0.90), 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.