BALFX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BALFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, BALFX returned 10.08%/yr vs 10.12%/yr for ABALX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BALFX charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

BALFX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with BALFX having a 9.94% return and ABALX slightly higher at 9.98%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with BALFX having a 10.08% annualized return and ABALX not far ahead at 10.12%.

BALFX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 9.94%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 17.50%
• 5Y*: 9.67%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

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%

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

BALFX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	9.94%	18.40%	14.91%	13.62%	-12.19%	15.69%	10.81%	18.50%	-3.54%	14.63%
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%

Correlation

The correlation between BALFX and ABALX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2001	1.00

The correlation between BALFX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BALFX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALFX

BALFX Risk / Return Rank: 85
BALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
BALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
BALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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

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.

BALFX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). 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.

	BALFX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.93	2.94	-0.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.09	4.11	-0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.56	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.63	3.64	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.41	16.45	-0.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BALFX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.93, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALFX and ABALX, 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

	BALFX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.93	2.94	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.93	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.95	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.81	-0.13

Drawdowns

BALFX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALFX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, roughly equal to the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALFX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALFX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-40.20%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-7.03%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.67%	-10.68%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.81%	-18.76%	-0.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	-22.34%	0.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.16%	-3.85%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	1.55%	0.00%

Volatility

BALFX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) have volatilities of 2.65% and 2.65%, 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

	BALFX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	2.65%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	6.86%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.72%	8.71%	+0.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.48%	10.49%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	10.67%	-0.01%

BALFX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALFX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

BALFX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

BALFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.49%, which matches ABALX's 7.54% 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%
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	7.49%	8.22%	7.14%	2.02%	2.24%	4.24%	4.31%	3.44%	5.30%	4.66%	4.18%	5.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BALFX and ABALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, BALFX and ABALX 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, BALFX or ABALX?

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

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.93), 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.