CDAZX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CDAZX (Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - CDAZX is a Long-Short fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 5 years, CDAZX returned 11.00%/yr vs 8.48%/yr for CBALX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CDAZX charges 1.84%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund (CDAZX) 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, CDAZX achieves a 8.42% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return.

CDAZX

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 5.46%
• YTD: 8.42%
• 6M: 7.86%
• 1Y: 25.48%
• 3Y*: 18.36%
• 5Y*: 11.00%
• 10Y*: —

CBALX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.12%
• YTD: 6.82%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 19.03%
• 3Y*: 15.37%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CDAZX Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund	8.42%	19.20%	19.75%	3.90%	1.31%	20.14%	-6.39%	8.17%	-12.03%	10.32%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.82%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	12.96%

Correlation

The correlation between CDAZX and CBALX is 0.68, 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	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2017	0.73

The correlation between CDAZX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CDAZX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CDAZX

CDAZX Risk / Return Rank: 77
CDAZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
CDAZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
CDAZX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
CDAZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
CDAZX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 64
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
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.

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund (CDAZX) 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.

	CDAZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	2.39	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	3.38	+0.45
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.44	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.48	2.96	+0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	12.71	+0.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CDAZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CDAZX 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

	CDAZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.70	2.39	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.20	0.77	+0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.71	+0.01

Drawdowns

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CDAZX drawdown since its inception was -30.94%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CDAZX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CDAZX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.94%	-34.53%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.32%	-6.63%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.54%	-12.06%	+3.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.91%	-20.91%	+10.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	0.00%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.14%	-5.31%	-0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	1.54%	+0.41%

Volatility

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund (CDAZX) has a higher volatility of 4.04% compared to Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) at 2.39%. This indicates that CDAZX'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

	CDAZX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.04%	2.39%	+1.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	6.35%	+1.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.45%	8.21%	+1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.20%	11.08%	-1.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.04%	11.34%	-1.30%

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CDAZX has a 1.84% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CDAZX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

CDAZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.47%, more 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%
CDAZX Multi-Manager Directional Alternative Strategies Fund	21.47%	23.28%	10.21%	1.58%	11.48%	6.28%	0.00%	0.79%	50.33%	3.97%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CDAZX and CBALX in my portfolio?

CDAZX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CDAZX or CBALX?

CDAZX has higher volatility (4.04%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CDAZX dropped -30.94% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CDAZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.39), 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.