CBLAX vs. SMIFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

CBLAX (Columbia Balanced Fund Class A) and SMIFX (Sound Mind Investing Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CBLAX returned 9.77%/yr vs 9.48%/yr for SMIFX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CBLAX charges 0.91%/yr vs 1.19%/yr for SMIFX.

Performance

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Balanced Fund Class A (CBLAX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CBLAX achieves a 6.39% return, which is significantly lower than SMIFX's 16.98% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CBLAX having a 9.77% annualized return and SMIFX not far behind at 9.48%.

CBLAX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 2.08%
• YTD: 6.39%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 18.29%
• 3Y*: 14.99%
• 5Y*: 7.99%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

SMIFX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 16.98%
• 6M: 16.53%
• 1Y: 20.67%
• 3Y*: 13.24%
• 5Y*: 5.90%
• 10Y*: 9.48%

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

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CBLAX Columbia Balanced Fund Class A	6.39%	13.86%	14.30%	21.20%	-16.84%	14.64%	17.59%	22.75%	-5.98%	14.01%
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	16.98%	3.16%	16.65%	5.17%	-8.93%	11.15%	20.76%	19.28%	-8.56%	17.49%

Correlation

The correlation between CBLAX and SMIFX is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2005	0.88

The correlation between CBLAX and SMIFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.77 (1 year) to 0.88 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CBLAX vs. SMIFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CBLAX

CBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
CBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
CBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
CBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
CBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
CBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

SMIFX

SMIFX Risk / Return Rank: 42
SMIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SMIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
SMIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
SMIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SMIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Balanced Fund Class A (CBLAX) and Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX). 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.

	CBLAX	SMIFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.18	1.76	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.42	+0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.31	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	2.75	-0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.50	8.82	+2.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CBLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.18, which is comparable to the SMIFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CBLAX and SMIFX, 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

	CBLAX	SMIFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.18	1.76	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.20	+0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.39	+0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.32	+0.43

Drawdowns

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CBLAX drawdown since its inception was -34.71%, smaller than the maximum SMIFX drawdown of -54.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CBLAX and SMIFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CBLAX	SMIFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.71%	-54.33%	+19.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.69%	-7.42%	+0.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.11%	-19.98%	+7.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.05%	-41.36%	+20.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.75%	-41.36%	+18.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-8.66%	+8.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.55%	-14.28%	+10.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.56%	2.31%	-0.75%

Volatility

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Balanced Fund Class A (CBLAX) is 2.56%, while Sound Mind Investing Fund (SMIFX) has a volatility of 2.90%. This indicates that CBLAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMIFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CBLAX	SMIFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	2.90%	-0.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.40%	8.89%	-2.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.27%	11.61%	-3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.09%	29.03%	-17.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.35%	24.17%	-12.82%

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CBLAX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is lower than SMIFX's 1.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

CBLAX vs. SMIFX - Dividend Comparison

CBLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.85%, more than SMIFX's 4.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBLAX Columbia Balanced Fund Class A	5.85%	6.16%	7.55%	1.60%	5.07%	8.98%	5.07%	3.91%	5.53%	2.55%	1.35%	3.78%
SMIFX Sound Mind Investing Fund	4.56%	5.33%	1.28%	1.73%	0.97%	46.86%	0.00%	0.48%	26.02%	10.06%	0.00%	14.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CBLAX and SMIFX in my portfolio?

CBLAX and SMIFX have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CBLAX or SMIFX?

SMIFX has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to CBLAX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CBLAX dropped -34.71% vs SMIFX's -54.33%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.18 vs 1.76), 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.