CGBL vs. VBINX

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

CGBL (Capital Group Core Balanced ETF) and VBINX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. CGBL is actively managed, while VBINX is passively managed. Over the past year, CGBL returned 13.72% vs 13.26% for VBINX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. CGBL charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for VBINX.

Performance

CGBL vs. VBINX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares (VBINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGBL achieves a 6.23% return, which is significantly higher than VBINX's 5.76% return.

CGBL

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: -1.35%
• 6M: 4.14%
• YTD: 6.23%
• 1Y: 13.72%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.31%

VBINX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -0.81%
• 6M: 4.69%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 1Y: 13.26%
• 3Y*: 13.70%
• 5Y*: 7.41%
• 10Y*: 9.49%
• ALL TIME*: 8.48%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	$54.25M	$65.73M	$77.16M
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

CGBL vs. VBINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	6.23%	15.33%	16.64%	10.10%
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares	5.76%	13.46%	17.63%	10.27%

Correlation

The correlation between CGBL and VBINX is 0.95, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2023	0.93

The correlation between CGBL and VBINX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGBL vs. VBINX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

CGBL

CGBL Risk / Return Rank: 52
CGBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
CGBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CGBL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CGBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
CGBL Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VBINX

VBINX Risk / Return Rank: 64
VBINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VBINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VBINX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VBINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VBINX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

CGBL vs. VBINX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares (VBINX). 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.

	CGBL	VBINX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.43	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.05	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.26	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	2.11	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.93	8.97	-2.04

CGBL vs. VBINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGBL Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the VBINX Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGBL and VBINX, 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

CGBL vs. VBINX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGBL drawdown since its inception was -11.66%, smaller than the maximum VBINX drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGBL and VBINX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGBL	VBINX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.66%	-35.97%	+24.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.88%	-5.84%	-2.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-11.60%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.97%	-1.45%	-0.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-4.13%	+2.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.87%	1.37%	+0.50%

Volatility

CGBL vs. VBINX - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) has a higher volatility of 2.70% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares (VBINX) at 2.31%. This indicates that CGBL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBINX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGBL	VBINX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	2.31%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.74%	6.84%	+1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.43%	8.57%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.09%	11.19%	-0.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.09%	11.26%	-0.17%

CGBL vs. VBINX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGBL has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than VBINX's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGBL vs. VBINX - Dividend Comparison

CGBL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than VBINX's 5.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	1.88%	1.98%	1.92%	0.48%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Investor Shares	5.26%	5.89%	7.88%	4.25%	2.71%	2.71%	2.54%	2.19%	2.20%	1.83%	1.97%	1.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGBL and VBINX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, CGBL and VBINX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, CGBL or VBINX?

CGBL has higher volatility (2.70%) compared to VBINX (2.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGBL dropped -11.66% vs VBINX's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.24), 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.