COFYX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COFYX (Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - COFYX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, COFYX returned 15.51%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. COFYX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

COFYX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class (COFYX) 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, COFYX achieves a 10.51% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, COFYX has outperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 15.51%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.10% annualized return.

COFYX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 6.23%
• YTD: 10.51%
• 6M: 10.85%
• 1Y: 27.53%
• 3Y*: 22.20%
• 5Y*: 13.56%
• 10Y*: 15.51%

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)

COFYX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COFYX Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class	10.51%	17.49%	23.49%	32.22%	-18.51%	24.34%	22.37%	40.31%	-8.79%	20.61%
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 COFYX and CBALX is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 12, 2012	0.98

The correlation between COFYX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

COFYX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

COFYX

COFYX Risk / Return Rank: 58
COFYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
COFYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
COFYX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
COFYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
COFYX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

COFYX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class (COFYX) 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.

	COFYX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.35	2.39	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	3.38	-0.22
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.44	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	2.96	-0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.85	12.71	-0.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COFYX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COFYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.35, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COFYX 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

	COFYX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.35	2.39	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.77	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.89	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.89	0.71	+0.18

Drawdowns

COFYX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COFYX drawdown since its inception was -32.43%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COFYX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	COFYX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.43%	-34.53%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.98%	-6.63%	-3.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.91%	-12.06%	-7.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-20.91%	-11.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.43%	-22.73%	-9.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.08%	-5.31%	+0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	1.54%	+0.87%

Volatility

COFYX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class (COFYX) has a higher volatility of 3.03% compared to Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) at 2.39%. This indicates that COFYX'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

	COFYX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.03%	2.39%	+0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.06%	6.35%	+2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	8.21%	+3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.93%	11.08%	+7.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.04%	11.34%	+7.70%

COFYX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

COFYX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

COFYX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

COFYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.58%, more 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%
COFYX Columbia Contrarian Core Fund Institutional 3 Class	6.58%	7.27%	9.52%	3.11%	10.48%	13.50%	7.65%	10.86%	10.15%	4.82%	0.75%	5.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COFYX and CBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, COFYX and CBALX 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, COFYX or CBALX?

COFYX has higher volatility (3.03%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COFYX dropped -32.43% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.35), 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.