BALCX vs. QUAL
Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds American Balanced Fund Class C (BALCX) and iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL).
BALCX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Jul 26, 1975. QUAL is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Quality Index. It was launched on Jul 16, 2013.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: BALCX or QUAL.
Key characteristics
| BALCX | QUAL | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 3.62% | 8.34% |
| 1Y Return | 13.64% | 29.02% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 3.35% | 9.12% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 6.87% | 13.29% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 7.02% | 12.72% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.82 | 2.54 |
| Daily Std Dev | 8.04% | 12.64% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.25% | -34.06% |
| Current Drawdown | -2.23% | -3.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALCX and QUAL is 0.93, 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.
Performance
BALCX vs. QUAL - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, BALCX achieves a 3.62% return, which is significantly lower than QUAL's 8.34% return. Over the past 10 years, BALCX has underperformed QUAL with an annualized return of 7.02%, while QUAL has yielded a comparatively higher 12.72% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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BALCX vs. QUAL - Expense Ratio Comparison
BALCX has a 1.31% expense ratio, which is higher than QUAL's 0.15% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
BALCX vs. QUAL - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class C (BALCX) and iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL). 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.
Dividends
BALCX vs. QUAL - Dividend Comparison
BALCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, more than QUAL's 1.14% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALCX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class C | 1.62% | 1.67% | 1.53% | 3.60% | 3.68% | 3.30% | 5.35% | 4.63% | 3.48% | 4.99% | 6.92% | 0.82% |
QUAL iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF | 1.14% | 1.23% | 1.59% | 1.20% | 1.39% | 1.60% | 2.00% | 1.76% | 1.96% | 1.63% | 1.35% | 0.63% |
Drawdowns
BALCX vs. QUAL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BALCX drawdown since its inception was -40.25%, which is greater than QUAL's maximum drawdown of -34.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALCX and QUAL. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
BALCX vs. QUAL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class C (BALCX) is 2.53%, while iShares Edge MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) has a volatility of 3.97%. This indicates that BALCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QUAL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.