CCFAX vs. CSTAX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

CCFAX (American Funds College 2036 Fund) and CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 5 years, CCFAX returned 7.13%/yr vs 2.83%/yr for CSTAX. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CCFAX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for CSTAX.

Performance

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds College 2036 Fund (CCFAX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CCFAX achieves a 5.62% return, which is significantly higher than CSTAX's 1.22% return.

CCFAX

• 1D: -0.62%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 5.62%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 14.63%
• 3Y*: 15.22%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: —

CSTAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 1.22%
• 6M: 1.14%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 6.81%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 5.12%

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

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
CCFAX American Funds College 2036 Fund	5.62%	16.36%	13.70%	19.10%	-18.41%	12.44%	16.77%	22.43%	-9.10%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	1.22%	9.00%	5.57%	6.57%	-9.87%	6.52%	7.66%	13.35%	-1.53%

Correlation

The correlation between CCFAX and CSTAX 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	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2018	0.80

The correlation between CCFAX and CSTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CCFAX vs. CSTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CCFAX

CCFAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
CCFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
CCFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CCFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CCFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
CCFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

CSTAX

CSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 48
CSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
CSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
CSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
CSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
CSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds College 2036 Fund (CCFAX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). 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.

	CCFAX	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.89	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.78	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.37	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.40	2.17	+0.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.53	8.19	+2.34

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CCFAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the CSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CCFAX and CSTAX, 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

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CCFAX drawdown since its inception was -25.80%, which is greater than CSTAX's maximum drawdown of -14.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CCFAX and CSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CCFAX	CSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.80%	-14.52%	-11.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.63%	-2.72%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.04%	-4.89%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.34%	-14.52%	-10.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.52%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.16%	-0.64%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.14%	-2.34%	-2.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	0.72%	+0.79%

Volatility

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds College 2036 Fund (CCFAX) has a higher volatility of 2.99% compared to American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) at 1.15%. This indicates that CCFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CCFAX	CSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	1.15%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.76%	2.46%	+4.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.43%	3.14%	+5.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.55%	5.17%	+6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.32%	5.74%	+7.58%

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CCFAX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than CSTAX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

CCFAX vs. CSTAX - Dividend Comparison

CCFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.72%, more than CSTAX's 5.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CCFAX American Funds College 2036 Fund	6.72%	7.10%	5.41%	1.75%	4.66%	7.82%	4.37%	2.61%	1.20%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	5.20%	5.26%	3.78%	3.17%	3.40%	7.52%	5.72%	4.00%	4.78%	3.90%	4.34%	4.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CCFAX and CSTAX in my portfolio?

CCFAX and CSTAX 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, CCFAX or CSTAX?

CCFAX has higher volatility (2.99%) compared to CSTAX (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CCFAX dropped -25.80% vs CSTAX's -14.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CCFAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.89), 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.