AMBFX vs. FRIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AMBFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2) and FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, AMBFX returned 10.56%/yr vs 7.66%/yr for FRIAX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AMBFX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FRIAX.

Performance

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMBFX achieves a 9.50% return, which is significantly higher than FRIAX's 4.46% return. Over the past 10 years, AMBFX has outperformed FRIAX with an annualized return of 10.56%, while FRIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.66% annualized return.

AMBFX

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 1.44%
• YTD: 9.50%
• 6M: 9.41%
• 1Y: 22.97%
• 3Y*: 17.35%
• 5Y*: 9.88%
• 10Y*: 10.56%

FRIAX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.73%
• YTD: 4.46%
• 6M: 4.46%
• 1Y: 12.75%
• 3Y*: 10.07%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 7.66%

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

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	9.50%	18.67%	15.25%	13.81%	-11.93%	16.00%	11.06%	19.45%	-2.69%	14.85%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	4.46%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between AMBFX and FRIAX is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2008	0.75

The correlation between AMBFX and FRIAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AMBFX vs. FRIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMBFX

AMBFX Risk / Return Rank: 83
AMBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AMBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AMBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AMBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AMBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 87
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) and Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). 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.

	AMBFX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.59	2.51	+0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	3.85	-0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.55	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	4.18	-0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.09	15.79	-0.70

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMBFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.59, which is comparable to the FRIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMBFX and FRIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMBFX drawdown since its inception was -35.05%, smaller than the maximum FRIAX drawdown of -43.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMBFX and FRIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMBFX	FRIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.05%	-43.23%	+8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.00%	-3.06%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.64%	-7.35%	-3.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.65%	-13.63%	-5.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.31%	-24.10%	+1.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-1.18%	+0.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-3.92%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.57%	0.81%	+0.76%

Volatility

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) has a higher volatility of 3.39% compared to Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) at 1.39%. This indicates that AMBFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMBFX	FRIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.39%	1.39%	+2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.31%	3.82%	+3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.22%	5.11%	+4.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.57%	7.94%	+2.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.72%	9.28%	+1.44%

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMBFX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than FRIAX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMBFX vs. FRIAX - Dividend Comparison

AMBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.31%, more than FRIAX's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	7.31%	8.47%	7.40%	2.20%	2.52%	4.50%	4.56%	4.19%	6.20%	4.85%	4.46%	5.81%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.75%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMBFX and FRIAX in my portfolio?

AMBFX and FRIAX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMBFX or FRIAX?

AMBFX has higher volatility (3.39%) compared to FRIAX (1.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMBFX dropped -35.05% vs FRIAX's -43.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.51), 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.