CLBAX vs. GRSPX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CLBAX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A) and GRSPX (Greenspring Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CLBAX returned 10.11%/yr vs 10.33%/yr for GRSPX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CLBAX charges 0.58%/yr vs 1.09%/yr for GRSPX.

Performance

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A (CLBAX) and Greenspring Fund (GRSPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CLBAX achieves a 9.96% return, which is significantly lower than GRSPX's 21.59% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CLBAX having a 10.11% annualized return and GRSPX not far ahead at 10.33%.

CLBAX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 10.58%
• 1Y: 24.94%
• 3Y*: 17.52%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 10.11%

GRSPX

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 3.34%
• YTD: 21.59%
• 6M: 20.73%
• 1Y: 26.86%
• 3Y*: 18.01%
• 5Y*: 10.61%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

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

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CLBAX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A	9.96%	18.43%	14.96%	13.61%	-12.16%	15.70%	10.79%	18.51%	-3.43%	14.64%
GRSPX Greenspring Fund	21.59%	6.12%	16.03%	11.95%	-8.62%	26.89%	3.81%	20.84%	-10.21%	7.84%

Correlation

The correlation between CLBAX and GRSPX is 0.61, 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	0.61
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 19, 2002	0.81

Over the past year, the correlation between CLBAX and GRSPX has dropped to 0.61 - well below their long-term average of 0.81, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CLBAX vs. GRSPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CLBAX

CLBAX Risk / Return Rank: 84
CLBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
CLBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
CLBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
CLBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
CLBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

GRSPX

GRSPX Risk / Return Rank: 58
GRSPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
GRSPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
GRSPX Omega Ratio Rank: 44
GRSPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
GRSPX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A (CLBAX) and Greenspring Fund (GRSPX). 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.

	CLBAX	GRSPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.94	2.04	+0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.10	2.87	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.36	+0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	3.99	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.44	12.80	+3.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLBAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.94, which is higher than the GRSPX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLBAX and GRSPX, 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

	CLBAX	GRSPX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.94	2.04	+0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.70	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95	0.68	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.70	-0.01

Drawdowns

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLBAX drawdown since its inception was -40.25%, which is greater than GRSPX's maximum drawdown of -35.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLBAX and GRSPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLBAX	GRSPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.25%	-35.67%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.03%	-7.97%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.68%	-19.33%	+8.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.79%	-19.33%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.33%	-35.07%	+12.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.29%	-4.81%	+0.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.55%	2.39%	-0.84%

Volatility

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A (CLBAX) is 2.65%, while Greenspring Fund (GRSPX) has a volatility of 5.49%. This indicates that CLBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GRSPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CLBAX	GRSPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.65%	5.49%	-2.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	11.74%	-4.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.72%	15.60%	-6.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	15.57%	-5.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	15.36%	-4.69%

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CLBAX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than GRSPX's 1.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CLBAX vs. GRSPX - Dividend Comparison

CLBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.53%, less than GRSPX's 7.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CLBAX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class 529-A	7.53%	8.26%	7.17%	2.03%	2.27%	4.27%	4.32%	3.43%	5.42%	4.67%	4.17%	5.51%
GRSPX Greenspring Fund	7.73%	9.40%	7.14%	6.84%	8.04%	7.69%	2.39%	7.89%	11.05%	9.63%	6.81%	5.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CLBAX and GRSPX in my portfolio?

CLBAX and GRSPX have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CLBAX or GRSPX?

GRSPX has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to CLBAX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CLBAX dropped -40.25% vs GRSPX's -35.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CLBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.04), 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.