CMTFX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CMTFX (Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - CMTFX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CMTFX returned 25.04%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CMTFX charges 0.92%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund (CMTFX) 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, CMTFX achieves a 32.19% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, CMTFX has outperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 25.04%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.10% annualized return.

CMTFX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 17.02%
• YTD: 32.19%
• 6M: 31.32%
• 1Y: 62.23%
• 3Y*: 36.42%
• 5Y*: 21.26%
• 10Y*: 25.04%

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)

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CMTFX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund	32.19%	25.10%	31.72%	56.85%	-34.63%	23.04%	49.65%	44.21%	-1.26%	43.38%
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 CMTFX and CBALX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2000	0.85

The correlation between CMTFX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CMTFX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CMTFX

CMTFX Risk / Return Rank: 84
CMTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
CMTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
CMTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
CMTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CMTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund (CMTFX) 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.

	CMTFX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.06	2.39	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.70	3.38	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.44	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.49	2.96	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.81	12.71	+4.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CMTFX Sharpe Ratio is 3.06, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CMTFX 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

	CMTFX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.06	2.39	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.77	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.01	0.89	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.71	-0.21

Drawdowns

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CMTFX drawdown since its inception was -68.28%, which is greater than CBALX's maximum drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CMTFX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CMTFX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.28%	-34.53%	-33.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.35%	-6.63%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.63%	-12.06%	-14.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.42%	-20.91%	-18.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.42%	-22.73%	-16.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.29%	-5.31%	-10.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.54%	+2.28%

Volatility

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund (CMTFX) has a higher volatility of 6.37% compared to Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) at 2.39%. This indicates that CMTFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CMTFX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	2.39%	+3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.72%	6.35%	+10.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.06%	8.21%	+12.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.98%	11.08%	+14.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	11.34%	+13.50%

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CMTFX has a 0.92% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CMTFX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

CMTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, 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%
CMTFX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund	2.34%	3.09%	1.02%	2.23%	3.36%	4.19%	0.87%	2.44%	5.89%	3.60%	0.35%	1.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CMTFX and CBALX in my portfolio?

CMTFX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CMTFX or CBALX?

CMTFX has higher volatility (6.37%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CMTFX dropped -68.28% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CMTFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.06 vs 2.39), 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.