ABALX vs. VASGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) and VASGX (Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, ABALX returned 10.12%/yr vs 10.79%/yr for VASGX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ABALX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for VASGX.

Performance

ABALX vs. VASGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX). 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 lower than VASGX's 10.86% return. Over the past 10 years, ABALX has underperformed VASGX with an annualized return of 10.12%, while VASGX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.79% 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%

VASGX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 10.86%
• 6M: 11.65%
• 1Y: 25.43%
• 3Y*: 17.90%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 10.79%

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

ABALX vs. VASGX - 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%
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	10.86%	19.65%	12.95%	18.76%	-17.21%	14.35%	15.45%	23.14%	-6.89%	19.21%

Correlation

The correlation between ABALX and VASGX is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 3, 1994	0.89

The correlation between ABALX and VASGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABALX vs. VASGX — 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

VASGX

VASGX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VASGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
VASGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
VASGX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VASGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VASGX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. VASGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) and Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX). 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	VASGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.49	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.48	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.46	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	3.15	+0.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.45	13.93	+2.52
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. VASGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is comparable to the VASGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABALX and VASGX, 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	VASGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.49	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.72	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.80	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.58	+0.23

Drawdowns

ABALX vs. VASGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABALX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, smaller than the maximum VASGX drawdown of -51.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABALX and VASGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABALX	VASGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-51.16%	+10.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-8.17%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.68%	-12.89%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.76%	-24.43%	+5.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	-28.53%	+6.19%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.85%	-7.25%	+3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.85%	-0.30%

Volatility

ABALX vs. VASGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) is 2.65%, while Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund (VASGX) has a volatility of 3.14%. This indicates that ABALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VASGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABALX	VASGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	3.14%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	8.27%	-1.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	10.34%	-1.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	12.77%	-2.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	13.48%	-2.81%

ABALX vs. VASGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABALX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than VASGX's 0.14% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABALX vs. VASGX - Dividend Comparison

ABALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.54%, more than VASGX's 3.69% 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%
VASGX Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund	3.69%	4.09%	6.15%	3.00%	2.10%	3.54%	3.54%	2.34%	4.36%	2.13%	2.23%	4.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABALX and VASGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ABALX and VASGX 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 VASGX?

VASGX has higher volatility (3.14%) compared to ABALX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABALX dropped -40.20% vs VASGX's -51.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.49), 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.