CREEX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CREEX (Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - CREEX is a REIT fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CREEX returned 5.95%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CREEX charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

CREEX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund (CREEX) 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, CREEX achieves a 12.06% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, CREEX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 5.95%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.

CREEX

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: -0.67%
• YTD: 12.06%
• 6M: 11.05%
• 1Y: 12.73%
• 3Y*: 9.96%
• 5Y*: 4.76%
• 10Y*: 5.95%

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)

CREEX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CREEX Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund	12.06%	0.19%	7.40%	16.20%	-25.10%	41.91%	-3.54%	28.40%	-7.21%	4.56%
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 CREEX and CBALX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between CREEX and CBALX has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

CREEX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CREEX

CREEX Risk / Return Rank: 14
CREEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
CREEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
CREEX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
CREEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
CREEX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

CREEX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund (CREEX) 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.

	CREEX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.39	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	3.38	-2.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.44	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.55	2.96	-1.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.62	12.71	-8.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CREEX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CREEX Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CREEX 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

	CREEX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	2.39	-1.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.77	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.89	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.71	-0.32

Drawdowns

CREEX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CREEX drawdown since its inception was -70.78%, which is greater than CBALX's maximum drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CREEX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CREEX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.78%	-34.53%	-36.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.94%	-6.63%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.89%	-12.06%	-7.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.25%	-20.91%	-10.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.42%	-22.73%	-18.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.25%	0.00%	-3.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.72%	-5.31%	-5.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	1.54%	+1.12%

Volatility

CREEX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund (CREEX) has a higher volatility of 4.02% compared to Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) at 2.39%. This indicates that CREEX'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

	CREEX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.02%	2.39%	+1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.48%	6.35%	+3.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.70%	8.21%	+5.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.04%	11.08%	+7.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.66%	11.34%	+9.32%

CREEX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CREEX has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

CREEX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

CREEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.59%, 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%
CREEX Columbia Real Estate Equity Fund	5.59%	6.26%	10.13%	32.32%	5.92%	6.41%	7.50%	12.02%	8.22%	14.73%	4.23%	8.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CREEX and CBALX in my portfolio?

CREEX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CREEX or CBALX?

CREEX has higher volatility (4.02%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CREEX dropped -70.78% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 0.90), 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.