ABUAX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ABUAX (Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Columbia. Over the past 10 years, ABUAX returned 7.40%/yr vs 10.02%/yr for CBALX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. ABUAX charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio (ABUAX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ABUAX achieves a 7.07% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.04% return. Over the past 10 years, ABUAX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 7.40%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.02% annualized return.

ABUAX

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 2.59%
• YTD: 7.07%
• 6M: 7.24%
• 1Y: 19.18%
• 3Y*: 13.64%
• 5Y*: 5.91%
• 10Y*: 7.40%

CBALX

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 2.93%
• YTD: 6.04%
• 6M: 6.22%
• 1Y: 17.70%
• 3Y*: 15.09%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 10.02%

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

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ABUAX Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio	7.07%	15.60%	10.28%	14.82%	-17.18%	9.51%	11.92%	18.24%	-6.81%	14.87%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.04%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between ABUAX and CBALX is 0.96 - 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	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
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 Mar 2, 2004	0.95

The correlation between ABUAX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ABUAX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ABUAX

ABUAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
ABUAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
ABUAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
ABUAX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
ABUAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ABUAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 55
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio (ABUAX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). 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.

	ABUAX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.21	+0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	3.14	+0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.41	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	2.75	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.77	11.81	+1.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ABUAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ABUAX and CBALX, 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

	ABUAX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.21	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.74	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.89	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.71	-0.05

Drawdowns

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ABUAX drawdown since its inception was -35.71%, roughly equal to the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ABUAX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ABUAX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.71%	-34.53%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.76%	-6.63%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.33%	-12.06%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.76%	-20.91%	-1.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.76%	-22.73%	-0.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.57%	-0.74%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.32%	-5.31%	+0.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.43%	1.54%	-0.11%

Volatility

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio (ABUAX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) have volatilities of 2.54% and 2.53%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ABUAX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	2.53%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.59%	6.38%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.09%	8.24%	-0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.81%	11.09%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.79%	11.34%	-1.55%

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

ABUAX has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

ABUAX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

ABUAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.04%, less than CBALX's 6.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABUAX Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Portfolio	4.04%	4.67%	5.24%	4.17%	5.92%	13.22%	5.18%	5.94%	7.23%	6.48%	3.06%	6.87%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.13%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ABUAX and CBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, ABUAX and CBALX 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, ABUAX or CBALX?

ABUAX has higher volatility (2.54%) compared to CBALX (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ABUAX dropped -35.71% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABUAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.21), 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.