FNPFX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FNPFX (American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - FNPFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Funds, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 5 years, FNPFX returned 9.30%/yr vs 9.66%/yr for ABALX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FNPFX charges 0.41%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3 (FNPFX) 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, FNPFX achieves a 7.50% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 9.98% return.

FNPFX

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 7.50%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 20.88%
• 3Y*: 19.01%
• 5Y*: 9.30%
• 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)

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNPFX American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3	7.50%	21.73%	17.10%	25.08%	-25.70%	18.01%	33.87%	30.48%	-5.71%	23.61%
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%	12.78%

Correlation

The correlation between FNPFX and ABALX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.91

The correlation between FNPFX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FNPFX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNPFX

FNPFX Risk / Return Rank: 30
FNPFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FNPFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
FNPFX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
FNPFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FNPFX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3 (FNPFX) 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.

	FNPFX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	2.94	-1.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	4.11	-1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.56	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	3.64	-1.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.76	16.45	-8.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNPFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNPFX 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

	FNPFX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	2.94	-1.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.93	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.95	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.78	0.81	-0.03

Drawdowns

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNPFX drawdown since its inception was -34.25%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNPFX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNPFX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.25%	-40.20%	+5.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.43%	-7.03%	-4.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.90%	-10.68%	-7.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.25%	-18.76%	-15.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.71%	-3.85%	-2.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	1.55%	+1.15%

Volatility

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3 (FNPFX) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) at 2.65%. This indicates that FNPFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FNPFX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.65%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.79%	6.86%	+3.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	8.71%	+4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	10.49%	+6.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.16%	10.67%	+7.49%

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNPFX has a 0.41% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

FNPFX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

FNPFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.40%, 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%
FNPFX American Funds New Perspective Fund Class F-3	6.40%	6.88%	5.46%	5.68%	4.53%	7.32%	4.41%	3.98%	7.95%	5.82%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FNPFX and ABALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, FNPFX and ABALX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, FNPFX or ABALX?

FNPFX has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to ABALX (2.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNPFX dropped -34.25% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.94 vs 1.57), 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.