CDDRX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CDDRX (Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - CDDRX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CDDRX returned 12.58%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CDDRX charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5 (CDDRX) 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, CDDRX achieves a 8.13% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, CDDRX has outperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 12.58%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.10% annualized return.

CDDRX

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 8.13%
• 6M: 8.46%
• 1Y: 20.40%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 10.75%
• 10Y*: 12.58%

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)

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CDDRX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5	8.13%	15.93%	15.07%	10.61%	-4.89%	26.32%	7.87%	28.62%	-4.32%	20.28%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.82%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between CDDRX and CBALX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2012	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between CDDRX and CBALX has dropped to 0.64 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CDDRX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CDDRX

CDDRX Risk / Return Rank: 68
CDDRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
CDDRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
CDDRX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
CDDRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
CDDRX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5 (CDDRX) 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.

	CDDRX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	2.39	-0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.33	3.38	-0.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.44	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.82	2.96	+0.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.40	12.71	+1.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CDDRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CDDRX 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

	CDDRX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.32	2.39	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.77	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.89	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.87	0.71	+0.16

Drawdowns

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CDDRX drawdown since its inception was -32.80%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CDDRX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CDDRX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.80%	-34.53%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.51%	-6.63%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.00%	-12.06%	-0.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.94%	-20.91%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.80%	-22.73%	-10.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	0.00%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-5.31%	+2.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.54%	-0.08%

Volatility

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5 (CDDRX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) have volatilities of 2.49% and 2.39%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CDDRX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	2.39%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.87%	6.35%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.07%	8.21%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	11.08%	+2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.70%	11.34%	+4.36%

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CDDRX has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CDDRX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

CDDRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.94%, 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%
CDDRX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class R5	4.94%	5.29%	5.96%	4.92%	3.86%	2.89%	1.78%	3.20%	7.61%	4.01%	3.81%	8.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CDDRX and CBALX in my portfolio?

CDDRX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CDDRX or CBALX?

CDDRX has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CDDRX dropped -32.80% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.32), 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.