CSTAX vs. MAPOX
CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) and MAPOX (Mairs & Power Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CSTAX returned 4.99%/yr vs 7.34%/yr for MAPOX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CSTAX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for MAPOX.
Performance
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CSTAX achieves a 1.38% return, which is significantly lower than MAPOX's 4.91% return. Over the past 10 years, CSTAX has underperformed MAPOX with an annualized return of 4.99%, while MAPOX has yielded a comparatively higher 7.34% annualized return.
CSTAX
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 0.40%
- YTD
- 1.38%
- 6M
- 1.52%
- 1Y
- 6.38%
- 3Y*
- 6.72%
- 5Y*
- 2.95%
- 10Y*
- 4.99%
MAPOX
- 1D
- 0.75%
- 1M
- 1.28%
- YTD
- 4.91%
- 6M
- 4.61%
- 1Y
- 11.83%
- 3Y*
- 9.33%
- 5Y*
- 4.55%
- 10Y*
- 7.34%
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund | 1.38% | 9.00% | 5.57% | 6.57% | -9.87% | 6.52% | 7.66% | 13.35% | -2.23% | 11.77% |
MAPOX Mairs & Power Balanced Fund | 4.91% | 6.61% | 9.60% | 13.39% | -14.99% | 14.97% | 10.49% | 20.33% | -2.77% | 11.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between CSTAX and MAPOX 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 | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.79 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2013 | 0.81 |
The correlation between CSTAX and MAPOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
CSTAX vs. MAPOX — Risk / Return Rank
CSTAX
MAPOX
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) and Mairs & Power Balanced Fund (MAPOX). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CSTAX | MAPOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.86 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.41 | 1.27 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.39 | 1.74 | +0.65 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.06 | 6.74 | +2.31 |
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Drawdowns
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CSTAX drawdown since its inception was -14.52%, smaller than the maximum MAPOX drawdown of -69.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CSTAX and MAPOX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CSTAX | MAPOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.52% | -69.72% | +55.20% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | -6.77% | +4.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.89% | -10.74% | +5.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.52% | -21.48% | +6.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.52% | -24.80% | +10.28% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.48% | -0.18% | -0.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.34% | -21.17% | +18.83% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.72% | 1.74% | -1.02% |
Volatility
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) is 1.22%, while Mairs & Power Balanced Fund (MAPOX) has a volatility of 2.60%. This indicates that CSTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MAPOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CSTAX | MAPOX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.22% | 2.60% | -1.38% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.47% | 6.06% | -3.59% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.13% | 8.00% | -4.87% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.17% | 10.47% | -5.30% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.79% | 11.16% | -5.37% |
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Expense Ratio Comparison
CSTAX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than MAPOX's 0.69% expense ratio.
Dividends
CSTAX vs. MAPOX - Dividend Comparison
CSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.19%, more than MAPOX's 2.88% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
MAPOX Mairs & Power Balanced Fund | 2.88% | 2.90% | 2.01% | 3.64% | 6.96% | 3.48% | 4.37% | 4.58% | 5.30% | 3.80% | 2.96% | 4.23% |
Frequently Asked Questions
CSTAX and MAPOX 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.
MAPOX has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to CSTAX (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CSTAX dropped -14.52% vs MAPOX's -69.72%.
CSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.47), 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.
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