EBNAX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EBNAX (American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - EBNAX is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 5 years, EBNAX returned 2.31%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for ABALX. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EBNAX charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (EBNAX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EBNAX achieves a 2.26% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 9.98% return.

EBNAX

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 1.38%
• YTD: 2.26%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 11.22%
• 3Y*: 9.08%
• 5Y*: 2.31%
• 10Y*: —

ABALX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 3.97%
• YTD: 9.98%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 24.98%
• 3Y*: 17.43%
• 5Y*: 9.66%
• 10Y*: 10.12%

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

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EBNAX American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund	2.26%	15.91%	0.33%	12.11%	-14.03%	-3.96%	7.65%	13.16%	-4.67%	13.57%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	9.98%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	14.69%

Correlation

The correlation between EBNAX and ABALX is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 3, 2016	0.45

The correlation between EBNAX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EBNAX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EBNAX

EBNAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
EBNAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
EBNAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
EBNAX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EBNAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
EBNAX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 85
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (EBNAX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). 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.

	EBNAX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.94	-0.63
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	4.11	-0.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.56	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	3.64	-1.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.84	16.45	-7.61
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EBNAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EBNAX and ABALX, 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

	EBNAX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.94	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.93	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.81	-0.29

Drawdowns

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EBNAX drawdown since its inception was -26.27%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EBNAX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EBNAX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.27%	-40.20%	+13.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.93%	-7.03%	+2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.98%	-10.68%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.72%	-18.76%	-6.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	0.00%	-0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.89%	-3.85%	-2.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.27%	1.55%	-0.28%

Volatility

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund (EBNAX) is 1.78%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a volatility of 2.65%. This indicates that EBNAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EBNAX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	2.65%	-0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.04%	6.86%	-2.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.88%	8.71%	-3.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.74%	10.49%	-3.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.92%	10.67%	-3.75%

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EBNAX has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

EBNAX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

EBNAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.93%, less than ABALX's 7.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.54%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%
EBNAX American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund	5.93%	6.12%	7.26%	5.45%	5.39%	4.85%	4.89%	6.09%	5.90%	6.59%	1.85%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EBNAX and ABALX in my portfolio?

EBNAX and ABALX have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EBNAX or ABALX?

ABALX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to EBNAX (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EBNAX dropped -26.27% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 2.31), 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.