FBALX vs VWELX: which was the better investment?
Fidelity Balanced Fund against Vanguard Wellington Fund on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 6, 1986 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did FBALX beat VWELX?
Yes — measured from Nov 6, 1986 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, FBALX came out ahead: $410,144 versus $392,454 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.8% annual return against 9.7%.
What would $10,000 in FBALX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) on Nov 6, 1986 would be worth about $410,144 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 4001.4% (9.8% per year). The same $10,000 in VWELX would be worth $392,454.
Which was riskier — FBALX or VWELX?
FBALX swung with an annualized volatility of 11.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -43.6%; VWELX ran at 11.3% volatility with a -36.1% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.70 for FBALX vs 0.68 for VWELX.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 6, 1986 through Jul 13, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with FBALX vs VWELX. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.