VEU vs. FBALX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) and FBALX (Fidelity Balanced Fund) are both funds - VEU is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US Index, while FBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Fidelity. VEU is passively managed, while FBALX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEU returned 9.86%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for FBALX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VEU charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FBALX.

Performance

VEU vs. FBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) 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, VEU achieves a 11.45% return, which is significantly higher than FBALX's 7.96% return. Over the past 10 years, VEU has underperformed FBALX with an annualized return of 9.86%, while FBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.48% annualized return.

VEU

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: -1.72%
• YTD: 11.45%
• 6M: 13.84%
• 1Y: 27.37%
• 3Y*: 18.27%
• 5Y*: 8.16%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

FBALX

• 1D: -2.10%
• 1M: -0.35%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 8.36%
• 1Y: 21.65%
• 3Y*: 15.93%
• 5Y*: 8.87%
• 10Y*: 11.48%

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

VEU vs. FBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	11.45%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	7.96%	15.11%	16.09%	20.31%	-18.29%	18.27%	22.45%	24.40%	-3.98%	16.52%

Correlation

The correlation between VEU and FBALX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 9, 2007	0.84

The correlation between VEU and FBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VEU vs. FBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 58

FBALX

FBALX Risk / Return Rank: 79
FBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
FBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
FBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
FBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
FBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

VEU vs. FBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) 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.

	VEU	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	2.52	-0.78
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.48	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.48	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	3.46	-1.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	16.47	-7.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEU vs. FBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEU Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is lower than the FBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEU 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

	VEU	FBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	2.52	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.73	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.90	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.81	-0.56

Drawdowns

VEU vs. FBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEU drawdown since its inception was -61.52%, which is greater than FBALX's maximum drawdown of -43.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEU and FBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEU	FBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.52%	-43.57%	-17.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-6.47%	-4.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.69%	-12.88%	-0.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.31%	-22.89%	-6.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.98%	-26.68%	-8.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.69%	-2.12%	-1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.13%	-4.37%	-8.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	1.35%	+1.61%

Volatility

VEU vs. FBALX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) has a higher volatility of 6.07% compared to Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) at 3.23%. This indicates that VEU'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

	VEU	FBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.07%	3.23%	+2.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	7.15%	+6.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.80%	8.87%	+6.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.16%	12.21%	+3.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.25%	12.79%	+4.46%

VEU vs. FBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEU has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than FBALX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEU vs. FBALX - Dividend Comparison

VEU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, less than FBALX's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FBALX Fidelity Balanced Fund	5.25%	5.69%	5.67%	2.28%	8.06%	9.66%	5.90%	4.24%	10.99%	7.90%	3.07%	7.70%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.68%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEU and FBALX in my portfolio?

VEU and FBALX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEU or FBALX?

VEU has higher volatility (6.07%) compared to FBALX (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEU dropped -61.52% vs FBALX's -43.57%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.74), 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.