AABFX vs. AVEFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AABFX (Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund) and AVEFX (Ave Maria Bond Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, AABFX returned 6.75%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for AVEFX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AABFX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for AVEFX.

Performance

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund (AABFX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AABFX achieves a 5.63% return, which is significantly higher than AVEFX's 1.45% return. Over the past 10 years, AABFX has outperformed AVEFX with an annualized return of 6.75%, while AVEFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.86% annualized return.

AABFX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: 5.63%
• 6M: 5.92%
• 1Y: 15.32%
• 3Y*: 11.81%
• 5Y*: 5.66%
• 10Y*: 6.75%

AVEFX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.86%

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

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AABFX Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund	5.63%	12.23%	10.08%	12.04%	-13.93%	11.83%	8.69%	16.65%	-5.09%	10.06%
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	1.45%	5.63%	5.71%	5.16%	-2.84%	4.38%	5.60%	8.30%	0.41%	4.16%

Correlation

The correlation between AABFX and AVEFX is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 7, 2003	0.68

The correlation between AABFX and AVEFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.75 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AABFX vs. AVEFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AABFX

AABFX Risk / Return Rank: 70
AABFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
AABFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
AABFX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
AABFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
AABFX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

AVEFX

AVEFX Risk / Return Rank: 29
AVEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AVEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AVEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
AVEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
AVEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund (AABFX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). 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.

	AABFX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	1.64	+0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.59	2.50	+1.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.29	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	1.87	+1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.43	5.07	+8.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AABFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is higher than the AVEFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AABFX and AVEFX, 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

	AABFX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	1.64	+0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.70	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.97	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	1.10	-0.68

Drawdowns

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AABFX drawdown since its inception was -43.44%, which is greater than AVEFX's maximum drawdown of -10.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AABFX and AVEFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AABFX	AVEFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.44%	-10.24%	-33.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.13%	-2.58%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.04%	-2.82%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.56%	-7.70%	-13.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.40%	-10.24%	-17.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.11%	+2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.64%	-0.97%	-4.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.16%	0.95%	+0.21%

Volatility

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Volatility Comparison

Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund (AABFX) has a higher volatility of 2.13% compared to Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) at 0.83%. This indicates that AABFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AABFX	AVEFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	0.83%	+1.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.16%	2.26%	+2.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.33%	2.93%	+3.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.53%	4.13%	+4.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.31%	4.02%	+5.29%

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AABFX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEFX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

AABFX vs. AVEFX - Dividend Comparison

AABFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.84%, more than AVEFX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AABFX Thrivent Balanced Income Plus Fund	6.84%	7.25%	6.43%	2.97%	2.26%	6.99%	2.03%	2.37%	9.70%	2.04%	2.37%	1.90%
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	3.47%	3.51%	2.94%	2.47%	3.59%	2.32%	2.43%	3.31%	3.21%	2.04%	2.94%	1.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AABFX and AVEFX in my portfolio?

AABFX and AVEFX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AABFX or AVEFX?

AABFX has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to AVEFX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AABFX dropped -43.44% vs AVEFX's -10.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AABFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 1.64), 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.