ABALX vs. AALTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) and AALTX (American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund) are both mutual funds - ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while AALTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, ABALX returned 10.12%/yr vs 11.96%/yr for AALTX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ABALX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.33%/yr for AALTX.

Performance

ABALX vs. AALTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) and American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ABALX having a 9.98% return and AALTX slightly higher at 10.40%. Over the past 10 years, ABALX has underperformed AALTX with an annualized return of 10.12%, while AALTX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.96% annualized return.

ABALX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 9.98%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 9.66%
• 10Y*: 10.12%

AALTX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 10.40%
• 6M: 11.09%
• 1Y: 25.02%
• 3Y*: 18.97%
• 5Y*: 9.73%
• 10Y*: 11.96%

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

ABALX vs. AALTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	9.98%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	14.69%
AALTX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund	10.40%	20.06%	15.09%	20.34%	-19.14%	16.96%	19.07%	24.59%	-5.87%	22.18%

Correlation

The correlation between ABALX and AALTX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2007	0.96

The correlation between ABALX and AALTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABALX vs. AALTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 85
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AALTX

AALTX Risk / Return Rank: 56
AALTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
AALTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
AALTX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AALTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
AALTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

ABALX vs. AALTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) and American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX). 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.

	ABALX	AALTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.23	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.13	+0.98
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.41	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	2.71	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.45	12.25	+4.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABALX vs. AALTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the AALTX Sharpe Ratio of 2.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABALX and AALTX, 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

	ABALX	AALTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.23	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.68	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.81	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.54	+0.27

Drawdowns

ABALX vs. AALTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABALX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, smaller than the maximum AALTX drawdown of -50.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABALX and AALTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABALX	AALTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-50.02%	+9.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-9.45%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.68%	-14.93%	+4.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.76%	-26.68%	+7.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	-29.30%	+6.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-7.18%	+3.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	2.09%	-0.54%

Volatility

ABALX vs. AALTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) is 2.65%, while American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX) has a volatility of 3.30%. This indicates that ABALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AALTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABALX	AALTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	3.30%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	9.22%	-2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	11.50%	-2.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	14.28%	-3.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	14.87%	-4.20%

ABALX vs. AALTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABALX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than AALTX's 0.33% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABALX vs. AALTX - Dividend Comparison

ABALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than AALTX's 5.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AALTX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.26%	5.81%	3.33%	2.36%	7.07%	4.32%	3.13%	4.17%	4.77%	2.36%	3.53%	4.85%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.54%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABALX and AALTX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, ABALX and AALTX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, ABALX or AALTX?

AALTX has higher volatility (3.30%) compared to ABALX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABALX dropped -40.20% vs AALTX's -50.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.23), 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.