BALFX vs. FRGAX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund (FRGAX).

BALFX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on Mar 15, 2001. FRGAX is an actively managed fund by Fidelity. It was launched on Jan 1, 2022.

Performance

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund (FRGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	-2.88%	18.40%	14.91%	13.62%	-1.27%
FRGAX Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund	-3.53%	17.10%	12.91%	17.57%	-1.63%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BALFX achieves a -2.88% return, which is significantly higher than FRGAX's -3.53% return.

BALFX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -6.82%
• YTD: -2.88%
• 6M: 0.82%
• 1Y: 15.28%
• 3Y*: 13.46%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: 8.93%

FRGAX

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: -3.53%
• 6M: -1.21%
• 1Y: 13.49%
• 3Y*: 12.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BALFX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than FRGAX's 0.02% expense ratio.

BALFX

American Funds American Balanced Fund

FRGAX

Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund

Return for Risk

BALFX vs. FRGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BALFX

BALFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
BALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
BALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
BALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
BALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
BALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

FRGAX

FRGAX Risk / Return Rank: 64
FRGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
FRGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
FRGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
FRGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
FRGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. FRGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) and Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund (FRGAX). 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	FRGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.15	+0.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	1.67	+0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.25	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.99	1.41	+0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.46	6.55	+1.91
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. FRGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BALFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the FRGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BALFX and FRGAX, 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

	BALFX	FRGAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.15	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	1.21	-0.56

Correlation

The correlation between BALFX and FRGAX is 0.95, 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.

Dividends

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Dividend Comparison

BALFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.48%, more than FRGAX's 2.08% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	8.48%	8.22%	7.14%	2.02%	2.24%	4.24%	4.31%	3.44%	5.30%	4.66%	4.18%	5.54%
FRGAX Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund	2.08%	2.00%	2.01%	1.77%	1.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Drawdowns

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BALFX drawdown since its inception was -40.20%, which is greater than FRGAX's maximum drawdown of -11.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BALFX and FRGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BALFX	FRGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.20%	-11.77%	-28.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.34%	-8.53%	+1.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.03%	-7.03%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.18%	-1.62%	-2.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.73%	1.87%	-0.14%

Volatility

BALFX vs. FRGAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) is 3.28%, while Fidelity 70% Allocation Fund (FRGAX) has a volatility of 3.78%. This indicates that BALFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FRGAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BALFX	FRGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	3.78%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.75%	6.72%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.10%	11.92%	-0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.41%	10.27%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.61%	10.27%	+0.34%