AFMBX vs. ^GSPC

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-3 (AFMBX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC).

AFMBX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Jul 26, 1975.

Performance

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-3 (AFMBX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFMBX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-3	-2.79%	18.82%	15.36%	13.89%	-11.83%	16.12%	11.17%	18.96%	-3.07%	10.06%
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-4.63%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	12.09%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFMBX achieves a -2.79% return, which is significantly higher than ^GSPC's -4.63% return.

AFMBX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -6.77%
• YTD: -2.79%
• 6M: 1.01%
• 1Y: 15.69%
• 3Y*: 13.85%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: —

^GSPC

• 1D: 2.91%
• 1M: -5.09%
• YTD: -4.63%
• 6M: -2.39%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 10.18%
• 10Y*: 12.16%

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

Return for Risk

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFMBX

AFMBX Risk / Return Rank: 82
AFMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AFMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AFMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
AFMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AFMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 74
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-3 (AFMBX) and S&P 500 Index (^GSPC). 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.

	AFMBX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.46	0.90	+0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.14	1.39	+0.75
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.21	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.05	1.40	+0.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	6.61	+2.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFMBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.46, which is higher than the ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFMBX and ^GSPC, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFMBX	^GSPC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.46	0.90	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.61	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.46	+0.38

Correlation

The correlation between AFMBX and ^GSPC is 0.94, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFMBX drawdown since its inception was -22.34%, smaller than the maximum ^GSPC drawdown of -56.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFMBX and ^GSPC.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFMBX	^GSPC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.34%	-56.78%	+34.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-12.14%	+4.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.58%	-25.43%	+6.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.92%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.98%	-6.45%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.25%	-10.75%	+7.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.57%	-0.85%

Volatility

AFMBX vs. ^GSPC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-3 (AFMBX) is 3.26%, while S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) has a volatility of 5.34%. This indicates that AFMBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ^GSPC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFMBX	^GSPC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.26%	5.34%	-2.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.74%	9.54%	-2.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.10%	18.33%	-7.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.42%	16.91%	-6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.16%	18.05%	-6.89%