CBALX vs. SIFAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) and SIFAX (SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CBALX returned 9.71%/yr vs 3.71%/yr for SIFAX. Their 0.24 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. CBALX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.90%/yr for SIFAX.

Performance

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) and SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund (SIFAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBALX achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than SIFAX's 9.09% return. Over the past 10 years, CBALX has outperformed SIFAX with an annualized return of 9.71%, while SIFAX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.71% annualized return.

CBALX

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: -0.54%
• 6M: 5.02%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 1Y: 12.15%
• 3Y*: 13.22%
• 5Y*: 7.55%
• 10Y*: 9.71%
• ALL TIME*: 8.19%

SIFAX

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 3.10%
• 6M: 5.37%
• YTD: 9.09%
• 1Y: 12.49%
• 3Y*: 7.16%
• 5Y*: 5.81%
• 10Y*: 3.71%
• ALL TIME*: 1.72%

*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)
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
SIFAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	5.53%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%
SIFAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund	9.09%	7.82%	4.08%	-1.74%	8.48%	10.83%	-1.59%	5.68%	-3.64%	-1.96%

Correlation

The correlation between CBALX and SIFAX is -0.29, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	-0.10
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013	0.24

The correlation between CBALX and SIFAX shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.24 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CBALX vs. SIFAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 46
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

SIFAX

SIFAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
SIFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
SIFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
SIFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
SIFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
SIFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) and SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund (SIFAX). 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.

	CBALX	SIFAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.25	2.14	-0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.79	3.11	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.39	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	2.75	-1.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.88	9.39	-2.51

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CBALX Sharpe Ratio is 1.25, which is lower than the SIFAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CBALX and SIFAX, 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

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBALX drawdown since its inception was -34.53%, which is greater than SIFAX's maximum drawdown of -23.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBALX and SIFAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBALX	SIFAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.53%	-23.62%	-10.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.63%	-4.47%	-2.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.06%	-4.47%	-7.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.91%	-8.32%	-12.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.73%	-13.64%	-9.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.39%	-0.92%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.29%	-8.48%	+3.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	1.32%	+0.33%

Volatility

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a higher volatility of 2.65% compared to SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund (SIFAX) at 1.65%. This indicates that CBALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SIFAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CBALX	SIFAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	1.65%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.31%	4.93%	+2.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.08%	5.77%	+3.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.20%	5.65%	+5.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.37%	5.24%	+6.13%

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CBALX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is lower than SIFAX's 0.90% expense ratio.

Dividends

CBALX vs. SIFAX - Dividend Comparison

CBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.21%, more than SIFAX's 4.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.21%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
SIFAX SEI Institutional Managed Trust Multi-Asset Inflation Managed Fund	4.17%	4.55%	3.25%	3.82%	11.90%	7.89%	1.45%	1.49%	1.90%	1.39%	1.15%	0.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBALX and SIFAX in my portfolio?

CBALX and SIFAX have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CBALX or SIFAX?

CBALX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to SIFAX (1.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBALX dropped -34.53% vs SIFAX's -23.62%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SIFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.25), 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.