CCSZX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CCSZX (Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - CCSZX is a Commodities fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CCSZX returned 7.77%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for CBALX. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CCSZX charges 0.86%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund (CCSZX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CCSZX achieves a 29.55% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.77% return. Over the past 10 years, CCSZX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 7.77%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.09% annualized return.

CCSZX

• 1D: 1.19%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 29.55%
• 6M: 29.49%
• 1Y: 42.97%
• 3Y*: 18.06%
• 5Y*: 12.86%
• 10Y*: 7.77%

CBALX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 6.77%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 19.47%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CCSZX Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund	29.55%	15.36%	7.11%	-6.90%	15.80%	31.34%	-1.17%	7.45%	-14.09%	1.71%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.77%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between CCSZX and CBALX is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.06
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2012	0.21

The correlation between CCSZX and CBALX shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.21 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CCSZX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CCSZX

CCSZX Risk / Return Rank: 83
CCSZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
CCSZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
CCSZX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
CCSZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
CCSZX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 64
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund (CCSZX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). 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.

	CCSZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	2.41	+0.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.40	0.00
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.44	+0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.54	2.96	+3.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	18.10	12.74	+5.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CCSZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CCSZX and CBALX, 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

	CCSZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77	2.41	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.76	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.89	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.71	-0.55

Drawdowns

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CCSZX drawdown since its inception was -61.34%, which is greater than CBALX's maximum drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CCSZX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CCSZX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.34%	-34.53%	-26.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.83%	-6.63%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.17%	-12.06%	+0.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.86%	-20.91%	-6.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.16%	-22.73%	-11.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.61%	0.00%	-3.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.36%	-5.31%	-26.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.47%	1.54%	+0.93%

Volatility

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund (CCSZX) has a higher volatility of 5.54% compared to Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) at 2.38%. This indicates that CCSZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CCSZX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.54%	2.38%	+3.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.51%	6.35%	+8.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.64%	8.22%	+8.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.97%	11.08%	+5.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.93%	11.34%	+3.59%

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CCSZX has a 0.86% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CCSZX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

CCSZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.31%, less than CBALX's 6.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.08%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
CCSZX Columbia Commodity Strategy Fund	2.31%	3.00%	8.84%	4.42%	94.73%	36.39%	0.13%	1.09%	18.52%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CCSZX and CBALX in my portfolio?

CCSZX and CBALX have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CCSZX or CBALX?

CCSZX has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to CBALX (2.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CCSZX dropped -61.34% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CCSZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.41), 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.