CGBL vs. VBINX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

CGBL (Capital Group Core Balanced ETF) and VBINX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund) are both funds - CGBL is a Allocation--50% to 70% Equity fund actively managed by Capital Group, while VBINX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past year, CGBL returned 16.68% vs 16.95% for VBINX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. 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 (VBINX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CGBL having a 6.51% return and VBINX slightly lower at 6.32%.

CGBL

• 1D: -1.19%
• 1M: 1.00%
• YTD: 6.51%
• 6M: 6.08%
• 1Y: 16.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VBINX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.57%
• YTD: 6.32%
• 6M: 5.69%
• 1Y: 16.95%
• 3Y*: 15.26%
• 5Y*: 8.02%
• 10Y*: 10.03%

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

CGBL vs. VBINX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	6.51%	15.33%	16.64%	10.10%
VBINX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund	6.32%	13.46%	17.63%	10.27%

Correlation

The correlation between CGBL and VBINX is 0.94, 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	0.94
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 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGBL vs. VBINX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGBL

CGBL Risk / Return Rank: 50
CGBL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
CGBL Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
CGBL Omega Ratio Rank: 49
CGBL Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
CGBL Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VBINX

VBINX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VBINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VBINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VBINX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VBINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
VBINX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

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 (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	1.64	2.13	-0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.36	3.00	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.39	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	3.05	-0.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.24	13.50	-4.25

CGBL vs. VBINX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGBL Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the VBINX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. 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	-1.50%	-0.93%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-4.14%	+2.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	1.32%	+0.49%

Volatility

CGBL vs. VBINX - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group Core Balanced ETF (CGBL) has a higher volatility of 4.18% compared to Vanguard Balanced Index Fund (VBINX) at 3.23%. 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	4.18%	3.23%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.54%	6.70%	+1.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.25%	8.39%	+1.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	11.17%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	11.27%	-0.10%

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 1.87%, less than VBINX's 5.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGBL Capital Group Core Balanced ETF	1.87%	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	5.16%	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 0.94, 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 (4.18%) compared to VBINX (3.23%). 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 (2.13 vs 1.64), 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.