ABALX vs. GWPAX
ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) and GWPAX (American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ABALX returned 9.78%/yr vs 12.89%/yr for GWPAX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. ABALX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.71%/yr for GWPAX.
Performance
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ABALX having a 8.43% return and GWPAX slightly higher at 8.46%. Over the past 10 years, ABALX has underperformed GWPAX with an annualized return of 9.78%, while GWPAX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.89% annualized return.
ABALX
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- -0.79%
- 6M
- 5.36%
- YTD
- 8.43%
- 1Y
- 18.58%
- 3Y*
- 15.45%
- 5Y*
- 9.00%
- 10Y*
- 9.78%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.61%
GWPAX
- 1D
- 1.06%
- 1M
- -1.60%
- 6M
- 5.94%
- YTD
- 8.46%
- 1Y
- 18.78%
- 3Y*
- 18.46%
- 5Y*
- 9.15%
- 10Y*
- 12.89%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.25%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A | 8.43% | 18.45% | 14.63% | 13.65% | -12.13% | 15.75% | 10.85% | 18.60% | -3.35% | 14.69% |
GWPAX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A | 8.46% | 20.47% | 20.17% | 28.76% | -26.97% | 18.59% | 25.34% | 27.19% | -6.59% | 25.12% |
Correlation
The correlation between ABALX and GWPAX is 0.95 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.95 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.95 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.93 |
The correlation between ABALX and GWPAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
ABALX vs. GWPAX — Risk / Return Rank
ABALX
GWPAX
ABALX vs. GWPAX - 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 Growth Portfolio Class A (GWPAX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| ABALX | GWPAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.81 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.09 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.20 | +0.15 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.54 | 1.45 | +1.08 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.80 | 6.01 | +4.78 |
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Drawdowns
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ABALX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, which is greater than GWPAX's maximum drawdown of -34.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABALX and GWPAX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ABALX | GWPAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.20% | -34.15% | -6.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -11.78% | +4.75% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.68% | -19.42% | +8.74% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.76% | -34.15% | +15.39% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.34% | -34.15% | +11.81% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.51% | -2.85% | +1.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.84% | -5.67% | +1.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 2.85% | -1.20% |
Volatility
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) is 2.28%, while American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A (GWPAX) has a volatility of 4.77%. This indicates that ABALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GWPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ABALX | GWPAX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.28% | 4.77% | -2.49% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.40% | 12.98% | -5.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.42% | 15.83% | -6.41% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.59% | 18.48% | -7.89% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.70% | 18.04% | -7.34% |
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison
ABALX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is lower than GWPAX's 0.71% expense ratio.
Dividends
ABALX vs. GWPAX - Dividend Comparison
ABALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.19%, more than GWPAX's 5.30% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A | 7.19% | 8.27% | 6.87% | 2.05% | 2.30% | 4.30% | 4.35% | 3.49% | 5.49% | 4.72% | 4.24% | 5.60% |
GWPAX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A | 5.30% | 5.75% | 5.83% | 1.61% | 9.94% | 3.42% | 3.42% | 5.77% | 6.19% | 3.39% | 4.36% | 4.84% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.95, ABALX and GWPAX 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.
GWPAX has higher volatility (4.77%) compared to ABALX (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABALX dropped -40.20% vs GWPAX's -34.15%.
ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.08), 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.
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