CTCAX vs. AQEAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CTCAX (Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A) and AQEAX (Columbia Disciplined Core Fund) are both mutual funds - CTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Columbia, while AQEAX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX returned 24.75%/yr vs 14.85%/yr for AQEAX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CTCAX charges 1.18%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for AQEAX.

Performance

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) and Columbia Disciplined Core Fund (AQEAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTCAX achieves a 32.06% return, which is significantly higher than AQEAX's 7.76% return. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX has outperformed AQEAX with an annualized return of 24.75%, while AQEAX has yielded a comparatively lower 14.85% annualized return.

CTCAX

• 1D: 1.47%
• 1M: 17.00%
• YTD: 32.06%
• 6M: 31.15%
• 1Y: 61.81%
• 3Y*: 36.07%
• 5Y*: 20.96%
• 10Y*: 24.75%

AQEAX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 7.76%
• 6M: 9.30%
• 1Y: 24.21%
• 3Y*: 20.02%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

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

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	32.06%	24.78%	31.39%	56.46%	-34.81%	22.73%	49.46%	43.91%	-1.48%	42.99%
AQEAX Columbia Disciplined Core Fund	7.76%	14.25%	25.67%	24.11%	-19.03%	32.22%	13.79%	36.92%	-3.97%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between CTCAX and AQEAX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2003	0.84

The correlation between CTCAX and AQEAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CTCAX vs. AQEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTCAX

CTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 83
CTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
CTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
CTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 74
CTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
CTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AQEAX

AQEAX Risk / Return Rank: 50
AQEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
AQEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
AQEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
AQEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
AQEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) and Columbia Disciplined Core Fund (AQEAX). 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.

	CTCAX	AQEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.04	2.04	+1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.68	2.83	+0.85
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.36	+0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.43	2.77	+1.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.56	11.66	+4.90
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.04, which is higher than the AQEAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTCAX and AQEAX, 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

	CTCAX	AQEAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.04	2.04	+1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.62	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	0.75	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.56	+0.21

Drawdowns

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTCAX drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, which is greater than AQEAX's maximum drawdown of -57.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTCAX and AQEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTCAX	AQEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.04%	-57.90%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.43%	-9.01%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.67%	-20.52%	-6.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.55%	-34.13%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.55%	-34.22%	-5.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.06%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.68%	-8.81%	-1.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	2.14%	+1.72%

Volatility

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) has a higher volatility of 6.37% compared to Columbia Disciplined Core Fund (AQEAX) at 2.39%. This indicates that CTCAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AQEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CTCAX	AQEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	2.39%	+3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.72%	9.00%	+7.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.06%	12.23%	+8.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.98%	20.04%	+5.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.84%	19.97%	+4.87%

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTCAX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than AQEAX's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTCAX vs. AQEAX - Dividend Comparison

CTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.49%, less than AQEAX's 10.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AQEAX Columbia Disciplined Core Fund	10.52%	11.34%	11.89%	3.91%	7.58%	17.49%	4.96%	19.02%	8.62%	4.62%	1.28%	1.28%
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	2.49%	3.29%	1.08%	2.36%	3.53%	4.15%	0.91%	2.55%	5.82%	3.52%	0.36%	1.80%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CTCAX and AQEAX in my portfolio?

CTCAX and AQEAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTCAX or AQEAX?

CTCAX has higher volatility (6.37%) compared to AQEAX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTCAX dropped -61.04% vs AQEAX's -57.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.04 vs 2.04), 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.