ABALX vs. CSTAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) and CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, ABALX returned 10.12%/yr vs 4.99%/yr for CSTAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ABALX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for CSTAX.

Performance

ABALX vs. CSTAX - 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 College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). 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 CSTAX's 1.47% return. Over the past 10 years, ABALX has outperformed CSTAX with an annualized return of 10.12%, while CSTAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.99% 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%

CSTAX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.68%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 6.87%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 4.99%

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

ABALX vs. CSTAX - 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%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	1.47%	9.00%	5.57%	6.57%	-9.87%	6.52%	7.66%	13.35%	-2.23%	11.77%

Correlation

The correlation between ABALX and CSTAX is 0.73, 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	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.86

The correlation between ABALX and CSTAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (3 years) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ABALX vs. CSTAX — 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

CSTAX

CSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
CSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
CSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
CSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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. CSTAX - 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 College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). 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	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.34	+0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.52	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.47	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	2.61	+1.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.45	10.06	+6.39
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. CSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is comparable to the CSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABALX and CSTAX, 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	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.34	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.55	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.86	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.88	-0.06

Drawdowns

ABALX vs. CSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABALX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, which is greater than CSTAX's maximum drawdown of -14.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABALX and CSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABALX	CSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-14.52%	-25.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-2.72%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.68%	-4.89%	-5.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.76%	-14.52%	-4.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	-14.52%	-7.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-2.35%	-1.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	0.70%	+0.85%

Volatility

ABALX vs. CSTAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a higher volatility of 2.65% compared to American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) at 1.11%. This indicates that ABALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABALX	CSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	1.11%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	2.32%	+4.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	3.03%	+5.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	5.16%	+5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	5.79%	+4.88%

ABALX vs. CSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABALX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than CSTAX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABALX vs. CSTAX - Dividend Comparison

ABALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than CSTAX's 5.19% 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%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	5.19%	5.26%	3.78%	3.17%	3.40%	7.52%	5.72%	4.00%	4.78%	3.90%	4.34%	4.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABALX and CSTAX in my portfolio?

ABALX and CSTAX have a correlation of 0.73, 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 CSTAX?

ABALX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to CSTAX (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABALX dropped -40.20% vs CSTAX's -14.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.34), 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.