VASIX vs. FIQDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VASIX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund) and FIQDX (Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, VASIX returned 2.94%/yr vs 6.45%/yr for FIQDX. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VASIX charges 0.11%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for FIQDX.

Performance

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z (FIQDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VASIX achieves a 3.14% return, which is significantly lower than FIQDX's 8.84% return.

VASIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 3.21%
• 1Y: 9.53%
• 3Y*: 8.20%
• 5Y*: 2.94%
• 10Y*: 4.08%

FIQDX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 8.84%
• 6M: 9.09%
• 1Y: 16.83%
• 3Y*: 10.24%
• 5Y*: 6.45%
• 10Y*: —

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

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VASIX Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund	3.14%	9.42%	6.67%	9.63%	-13.94%	1.92%	9.13%	12.05%	-0.60%
FIQDX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z	8.84%	10.40%	6.03%	4.55%	-3.17%	15.96%	3.79%	10.63%	-4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between VASIX and FIQDX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 5, 2018	0.54

The correlation between VASIX and FIQDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VASIX vs. FIQDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VASIX

VASIX Risk / Return Rank: 53
VASIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
VASIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
VASIX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VASIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
VASIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

FIQDX

FIQDX Risk / Return Rank: 96
FIQDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
FIQDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
FIQDX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
FIQDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
FIQDX 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.

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX) and Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z (FIQDX). 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.

	VASIX	FIQDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	3.62	-1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	5.11	-1.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.73	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	8.62	-6.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	32.18	-21.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VASIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is lower than the FIQDX Sharpe Ratio of 3.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VASIX and FIQDX, 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

	VASIX	FIQDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	3.62	-1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.94	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.12	0.90	+0.23

Drawdowns

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VASIX drawdown since its inception was -18.17%, smaller than the maximum FIQDX drawdown of -19.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VASIX and FIQDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VASIX	FIQDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.17%	-19.98%	+1.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.90%	-1.94%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.58%	-5.91%	+0.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.17%	-12.79%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.73%	+0.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.92%	-2.98%	+1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.52%	+0.41%

Volatility

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund (VASIX) has a higher volatility of 1.71% compared to Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z (FIQDX) at 1.32%. This indicates that VASIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIQDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VASIX	FIQDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.71%	1.32%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.65%	3.61%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.42%	4.65%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.75%	6.91%	-1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.92%	7.41%	-2.49%

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VASIX has a 0.11% expense ratio, which is lower than FIQDX's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

VASIX vs. FIQDX - Dividend Comparison

VASIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.11%, less than FIQDX's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIQDX Fidelity Advisor Strategic Real Return Fund Class Z	4.19%	4.75%	4.88%	5.38%	7.39%	5.44%	2.29%	3.17%	8.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VASIX Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund	4.11%	4.18%	7.61%	3.17%	2.02%	3.95%	2.15%	2.73%	3.55%	1.52%	2.26%	2.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VASIX and FIQDX in my portfolio?

VASIX and FIQDX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VASIX or FIQDX?

VASIX has higher volatility (1.71%) compared to FIQDX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VASIX dropped -18.17% vs FIQDX's -19.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FIQDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.62 vs 2.18), 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.