ABALX vs. ABNFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) and ABNFX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2) are both mutual funds - ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while ABNFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, ABALX returned 10.12%/yr vs 1.93%/yr for ABNFX. At a correlation of -0.00, they often move in opposite directions. ABALX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for ABNFX.

Performance

ABALX vs. ABNFX - 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 The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABALX achieves a 9.98% return, which is significantly higher than ABNFX's 0.19% return. Over the past 10 years, ABALX has outperformed ABNFX with an annualized return of 10.12%, while ABNFX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.93% 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%

ABNFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 0.19%
• 6M: 0.12%
• 1Y: 5.28%
• 3Y*: 3.92%
• 5Y*: 0.01%
• 10Y*: 1.93%

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

ABALX vs. ABNFX - 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%
ABNFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2	0.19%	7.42%	1.42%	4.29%	-13.08%	-0.88%	10.86%	8.08%	0.15%	3.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ABALX and ABNFX 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	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.14
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 4, 2008	-0.00

The correlation between ABALX and ABNFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (all time) to 0.36 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ABALX vs. ABNFX — 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

ABNFX

ABNFX Risk / Return Rank: 21
ABNFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
ABNFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ABNFX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
ABNFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
ABNFX 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.

ABALX vs. ABNFX - 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 The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX). 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	ABNFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	1.34	+1.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	2.04	+2.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.24	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	1.71	+1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.45	5.13	+11.33
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. ABNFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the ABNFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABALX and ABNFX, 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	ABNFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	1.34	+1.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.00	+0.92
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.40	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.65	+0.16

Drawdowns

ABALX vs. ABNFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABALX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, which is greater than ABNFX's maximum drawdown of -17.69%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABALX and ABNFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABALX	ABNFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-17.69%	-22.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-3.09%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.68%	-6.12%	-4.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.76%	-17.65%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	-17.69%	-4.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.92%	+1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-3.29%	-0.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.03%	+0.52%

Volatility

ABALX vs. ABNFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a higher volatility of 2.65% compared to American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2 (ABNFX) at 1.40%. This indicates that ABALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ABNFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABALX	ABNFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	1.40%	+1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	2.83%	+4.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	3.95%	+4.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	5.96%	+4.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	4.89%	+5.78%

ABALX vs. ABNFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABALX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than ABNFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABALX vs. ABNFX - Dividend Comparison

ABALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than ABNFX's 4.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
ABNFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America® Class F-2	4.38%	4.37%	4.55%	3.19%	2.37%	2.07%	5.15%	3.72%	2.65%	2.10%	2.31%	2.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABALX and ABNFX in my portfolio?

ABALX and ABNFX 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, ABALX or ABNFX?

ABALX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to ABNFX (1.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABALX dropped -40.20% vs ABNFX's -17.69%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.34), 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.