BALFX vs. BWBIX
BALFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-1) and BWBIX (Baron WealthBuilder Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 5 years, BALFX returned 8.97%/yr vs 3.22%/yr for BWBIX. Their correlation of 0.83 means they have usually moved in the same direction. BALFX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BWBIX.
Performance
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BALFX achieves a 8.18% return, which is significantly higher than BWBIX's 0.78% return.
BALFX
- 1D
- 1.08%
- 1M
- -0.98%
- 6M
- 5.43%
- YTD
- 8.18%
- 1Y
- 18.29%
- 3Y*
- 15.33%
- 5Y*
- 8.97%
- 10Y*
- 9.67%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.86%
BWBIX
- 1D
- -0.64%
- 1M
- -5.41%
- 6M
- 2.24%
- YTD
- 0.78%
- 1Y
- 9.65%
- 3Y*
- 10.86%
- 5Y*
- 3.22%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 11.99%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-1 | 8.18% | 18.40% | 14.91% | 13.62% | -12.19% | 15.69% | 10.81% | 18.50% | -3.69% |
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund | 0.78% | 10.23% | 19.62% | 25.77% | -32.58% | 14.76% | 62.85% | 36.41% | -12.02% |
Correlation
The correlation between BALFX and BWBIX is 0.71, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.71 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.81 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.83 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2018 | 0.83 |
The correlation between BALFX and BWBIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.71 (1 year) to 0.83 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BALFX vs. BWBIX — Risk / Return Rank
BALFX
BWBIX
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-1 (BALFX) and Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX). 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.
| BALFX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.36 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.76 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.09 | +0.24 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.44 | 0.64 | +1.81 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.42 | 1.96 | +8.46 |
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Drawdowns
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BALFX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, roughly equal to the maximum BWBIX drawdown of -39.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALFX and BWBIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BALFX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.20% | -39.14% | -1.06% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.03% | -11.65% | +4.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.67% | -21.59% | +10.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.81% | -39.14% | +20.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.71% | -5.90% | +4.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.14% | -11.55% | +7.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 3.79% | -2.14% |
Volatility
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-1 (BALFX) is 2.33%, while Baron WealthBuilder Fund (BWBIX) has a volatility of 4.30%. This indicates that BALFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BWBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BALFX | BWBIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.33% | 4.30% | -1.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.38% | 12.24% | -4.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.42% | 16.10% | -6.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 10.59% | 21.31% | -10.72% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.69% | 23.09% | -12.40% |
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
BALFX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than BWBIX's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
BALFX vs. BWBIX - Dividend Comparison
BALFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.15%, less than BWBIX's 7.55% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class F-1 | 7.15% | 8.22% | 7.14% | 2.02% | 2.24% | 4.24% | 4.31% | 3.44% | 5.30% | 4.66% | 4.18% | 5.54% |
BWBIX Baron WealthBuilder Fund | 7.55% | 7.61% | 0.77% | 0.06% | 3.21% | 3.75% | 1.24% | 3.51% | 0.14% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
BALFX and BWBIX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BWBIX has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to BALFX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BALFX dropped -40.20% vs BWBIX's -39.14%.
BALFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 0.46), 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.
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