CBAAX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

CBAAX (American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CBAAX returned 8.82%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. CBAAX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio (CBAAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBAAX achieves a 6.66% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, CBAAX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 8.82%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.67% annualized return.

CBAAX

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -0.61%
• 6M: 4.04%
• YTD: 6.66%
• 1Y: 14.78%
• 3Y*: 12.97%
• 5Y*: 7.20%
• 10Y*: 8.82%
• ALL TIME*: 9.04%

VBAIX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -0.81%
• 6M: 4.74%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 1Y: 13.39%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 7.53%
• 10Y*: 9.67%
• ALL TIME*: 7.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CBAAX American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CBAAX American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio	6.66%	16.62%	11.27%	13.82%	-13.58%	13.79%	13.20%	19.42%	-4.63%	16.65%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.84%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between CBAAX and VBAIX is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2012	0.94

The correlation between CBAAX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CBAAX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CBAAX

CBAAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
CBAAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
CBAAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
CBAAX Omega Ratio Rank: 61
CBAAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CBAAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio (CBAAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	CBAAX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.45	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.07	+0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.26	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	2.13	-0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.18	9.09	-0.91

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CBAAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CBAAX and VBAIX, 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

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBAAX drawdown since its inception was -23.16%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBAAX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBAAX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.16%	-35.82%	+12.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.31%	-5.84%	-1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.62%	-11.57%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.72%	-21.52%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.16%	-22.77%	-0.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-1.46%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-4.40%	+1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.68%	1.36%	+0.32%

Volatility

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio (CBAAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) have volatilities of 2.31% and 2.31%, 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

	CBAAX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.31%	2.31%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.46%	6.84%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.11%	8.56%	+0.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.48%	11.19%	-0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.80%	11.25%	-0.45%

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CBAAX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

CBAAX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

CBAAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, more than VBAIX's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBAAX American Funds Moderate Growth and Income Portfolio	5.54%	5.81%	3.56%	2.26%	5.97%	4.95%	2.54%	3.80%	4.65%	3.43%	3.59%	3.59%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.39%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBAAX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, CBAAX and VBAIX 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, CBAAX or VBAIX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to CBAAX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBAAX dropped -23.16% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBAAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.45), 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.