CFIHX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

CFIHX (American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 5 years, CFIHX returned 9.01%/yr vs 9.87%/yr for ABALX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CFIHX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CFIHX achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 9.77% return.

CFIHX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 8.60%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 9.01%
• 10Y*: —

ABALX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 9.77%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 23.68%
• 3Y*: 16.77%
• 5Y*: 9.87%
• 10Y*: 10.11%

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

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CFIHX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3	7.57%	20.76%	9.78%	9.31%	-6.86%	15.39%	3.52%	17.60%	-6.77%	13.12%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	9.77%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	12.64%

Correlation

The correlation between CFIHX and ABALX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.90

The correlation between CFIHX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CFIHX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CFIHX

CFIHX Risk / Return Rank: 67
CFIHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
CFIHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CFIHX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
CFIHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
CFIHX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 84
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). 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.

	CFIHX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.59	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.60	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.49	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	3.38	-0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.13	14.98	-3.85

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CFIHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CFIHX and ABALX, 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

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CFIHX drawdown since its inception was -25.26%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CFIHX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CFIHX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.26%	-40.20%	+14.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-7.03%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.88%	-10.68%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.45%	-18.76%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.19%	-0.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.42%	-3.85%	+0.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.58%	+0.04%

Volatility

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) is 2.60%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a volatility of 3.45%. This indicates that CFIHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CFIHX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	3.45%	-0.85%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.66%	7.35%	-0.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.27%	9.19%	-0.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.04%	10.57%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.97%	10.71%	+0.26%

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CFIHX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

CFIHX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

CFIHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, more than ABALX's 7.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.10%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%
CFIHX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3	7.61%	8.03%	5.35%	3.79%	3.77%	3.46%	3.70%	4.41%	4.11%	4.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CFIHX and ABALX in my portfolio?

CFIHX and ABALX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CFIHX or ABALX?

ABALX has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to CFIHX (2.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CFIHX dropped -25.26% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.20), 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.