CTLAX vs. AVEFX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CTLAX (American Funds College 2033 Fund) and AVEFX (Ave Maria Bond Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, CTLAX returned 8.46%/yr vs 3.86%/yr for AVEFX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. CTLAX charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for AVEFX.

Performance

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds College 2033 Fund (CTLAX) and Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CTLAX achieves a 4.55% return, which is significantly higher than AVEFX's 1.45% return. Over the past 10 years, CTLAX has outperformed AVEFX with an annualized return of 8.46%, while AVEFX has yielded a comparatively lower 3.86% annualized return.

CTLAX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.92%
• YTD: 4.55%
• 6M: 4.89%
• 1Y: 13.68%
• 3Y*: 12.45%
• 5Y*: 5.85%
• 10Y*: 8.46%

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)

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CTLAX American Funds College 2033 Fund	4.55%	13.98%	10.56%	13.56%	-15.16%	10.61%	15.49%	19.46%	-5.83%	19.33%
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 CTLAX and AVEFX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2015	0.73

The correlation between CTLAX and AVEFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (1 year) to 0.73 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CTLAX vs. AVEFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTLAX

CTLAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
CTLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
CTLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
CTLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
CTLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
CTLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds College 2033 Fund (CTLAX) 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.

	CTLAX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.64	+0.73
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.44	2.50	+0.95
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.29	+0.17
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	1.87	+0.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.79	5.07	+6.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the AVEFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTLAX 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

	CTLAX	AVEFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	1.64	+0.73
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.70	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.97	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	1.10	-0.39

Drawdowns

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTLAX drawdown since its inception was -21.42%, which is greater than AVEFX's maximum drawdown of -10.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTLAX and AVEFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTLAX	AVEFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.42%	-10.24%	-11.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.22%	-2.58%	-2.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.07%	-2.82%	-4.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.42%	-7.70%	-13.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.42%	-10.24%	-11.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.11%	+2.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.13%	-0.97%	-3.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	0.95%	+0.23%

Volatility

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds College 2033 Fund (CTLAX) has a higher volatility of 1.83% compared to Ave Maria Bond Fund (AVEFX) at 0.83%. This indicates that CTLAX'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

	CTLAX	AVEFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.83%	0.83%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.70%	2.26%	+2.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.90%	2.93%	+2.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.79%	4.13%	+4.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.12%	4.02%	+6.10%

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTLAX has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than AVEFX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTLAX vs. AVEFX - Dividend Comparison

CTLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.08%, 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%
CTLAX American Funds College 2033 Fund	7.08%	7.40%	3.80%	2.43%	4.56%	11.46%	6.06%	4.75%	4.36%	2.19%	2.26%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CTLAX and AVEFX in my portfolio?

CTLAX and AVEFX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CTLAX or AVEFX?

CTLAX has higher volatility (1.83%) compared to AVEFX (0.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTLAX dropped -21.42% vs AVEFX's -10.24%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTLAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.