COTZX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

COTZX (Columbia Thermostat Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - COTZX is a Tactical Allocation fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, COTZX returned 7.44%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. COTZX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

COTZX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX) 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, COTZX achieves a 3.49% return, which is significantly lower than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, COTZX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 7.44%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.

COTZX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 1.66%
• YTD: 3.49%
• 6M: 3.53%
• 1Y: 12.68%
• 3Y*: 10.87%
• 5Y*: 4.79%
• 10Y*: 7.44%

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)

COTZX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COTZX Columbia Thermostat Fund	3.49%	15.02%	7.98%	11.66%	-12.92%	6.44%	29.61%	15.15%	-1.17%	3.33%
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 COTZX and CBALX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2002	0.87

The correlation between COTZX and CBALX shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (5 years) to 0.92 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

COTZX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

COTZX

COTZX Risk / Return Rank: 78
COTZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
COTZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
COTZX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
COTZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
COTZX Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

COTZX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX) 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.

	COTZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.39	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.82	3.38	+0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.44	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.24	2.96	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.24	12.71	+2.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COTZX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COTZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COTZX 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

	COTZX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	2.39	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.77	-0.11
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	0.64	0.71	-0.07

Drawdowns

COTZX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COTZX drawdown since its inception was -47.48%, which is greater than CBALX's maximum drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COTZX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	COTZX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.48%	-34.53%	-12.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.02%	-6.63%	+2.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.93%	-12.06%	+5.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.80%	-20.91%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.80%	-22.73%	+4.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.47%	-5.31%	+1.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	1.54%	-0.69%

Volatility

COTZX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Thermostat Fund (COTZX) is 1.60%, while Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a volatility of 2.39%. This indicates that COTZX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COTZX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.60%	2.39%	-0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.96%	6.35%	-2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.06%	8.21%	-3.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.33%	11.08%	-3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.39%	11.34%	-3.95%

COTZX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

COTZX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

COTZX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

COTZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.25%, 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%
COTZX Columbia Thermostat Fund	3.25%	3.37%	3.55%	2.74%	3.28%	14.82%	6.92%	5.57%	4.45%	3.13%	2.66%	4.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COTZX and CBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, COTZX 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, COTZX or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (2.39%) compared to COTZX (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COTZX dropped -47.48% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COTZX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 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.