CSTAX vs. AVEFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) and AVEFX (Ave Maria Bond Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CSTAX returned 4.99%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for AVEFX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.41% expense ratio.

Performance

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with CSTAX having a 1.47% return and AVEFX slightly lower at 1.45%. Over the past 10 years, CSTAX has outperformed AVEFX with an annualized return of 4.99%, while AVEFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.86% annualized return.

CSTAX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.68%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 6.87%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 4.99%

AVEFX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.42%
• YTD: 1.45%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 4.53%
• 3Y*: 5.73%
• 5Y*: 2.86%
• 10Y*: 3.86%

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

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	1.47%	9.00%	5.57%	6.57%	-9.87%	6.52%	7.66%	13.35%	-2.23%	11.77%
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	1.45%	5.63%	5.71%	5.16%	-2.84%	4.38%	5.60%	8.30%	0.41%	4.16%

Correlation

The correlation between CSTAX and AVEFX is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.79

The correlation between CSTAX and AVEFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CSTAX vs. AVEFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CSTAX

CSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
CSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
CSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
CSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

AVEFX

AVEFX Risk / Return Rank: 29
AVEFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
AVEFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
AVEFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
AVEFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
AVEFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). 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.

	CSTAX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	1.64	+0.70
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.50	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.29	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.61	1.87	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.06	5.07	+4.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is higher than the AVEFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CSTAX and AVEFX, 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

	CSTAX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	1.64	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.70	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.97	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.10	-0.23

Drawdowns

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CSTAX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, which is greater than AVEFX's maximum drawdown of -10.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSTAX and AVEFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CSTAX	AVEFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.52%	-10.24%	-4.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	-2.58%	-0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.89%	-2.82%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.52%	-7.70%	-6.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.52%	-10.24%	-4.28%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-2.11%	+1.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.35%	-0.97%	-1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.70%	0.95%	-0.25%

Volatility

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) has a higher volatility of 1.11% compared to Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) at 0.83%. This indicates that CSTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVEFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CSTAX	AVEFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.11%	0.83%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.32%	2.26%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.03%	2.93%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.16%	4.13%	+1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.79%	4.02%	+1.77%

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both CSTAX and AVEFX have an expense ratio of 0.41%.

Dividends

CSTAX vs. AVEFX - Dividend Comparison

CSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.19%, more than AVEFX's 3.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVEFX Ave Maria Bond Fund	3.47%	3.51%	2.94%	2.47%	3.59%	2.32%	2.43%	3.31%	3.21%	2.04%	2.94%	1.89%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	5.19%	5.26%	3.78%	3.17%	3.40%	7.52%	5.72%	4.00%	4.78%	3.90%	4.34%	4.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CSTAX and AVEFX in my portfolio?

CSTAX and AVEFX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CSTAX or AVEFX?

CSTAX has higher volatility (1.11%) compared to AVEFX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSTAX dropped -14.52% vs AVEFX's -10.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.64), 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.