FRIAX vs. AMBFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) and AMBFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, FRIAX returned 7.50%/yr vs 10.46%/yr for AMBFX. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FRIAX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for AMBFX.

Performance

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FRIAX achieves a 4.88% return, which is significantly lower than AMBFX's 9.85% return. Over the past 10 years, FRIAX has underperformed AMBFX with an annualized return of 7.50%, while AMBFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.46% annualized return.

FRIAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.33%
• YTD: 4.88%
• 6M: 4.88%
• 1Y: 13.20%
• 3Y*: 9.73%
• 5Y*: 6.65%
• 10Y*: 7.50%

AMBFX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 10.15%
• 1Y: 24.09%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

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

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	4.88%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	9.85%	18.67%	15.25%	13.81%	-11.93%	16.00%	11.06%	19.45%	-2.69%	14.85%

Correlation

The correlation between FRIAX and AMBFX 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	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2008	0.75

The correlation between FRIAX and AMBFX shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FRIAX vs. AMBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 89
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

AMBFX

AMBFX Risk / Return Rank: 83
AMBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AMBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AMBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AMBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AMBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). 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.

	FRIAX	AMBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.61	2.61	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.00	3.63	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.49	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.32	3.43	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.41	15.23	+1.18

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FRIAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.61, which is comparable to the AMBFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FRIAX and AMBFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FRIAX drawdown since its inception was -43.23%, which is greater than AMBFX's maximum drawdown of -35.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRIAX and AMBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FRIAX	AMBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.23%	-35.05%	-8.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.06%	-7.00%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.35%	-10.64%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.63%	-18.65%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.10%	-22.31%	-1.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.19%	-0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-3.58%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	1.57%	-0.76%

Volatility

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) is 1.32%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) has a volatility of 3.43%. This indicates that FRIAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FRIAX	AMBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	3.43%	-2.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.80%	7.35%	-3.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.08%	9.20%	-4.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.96%	10.57%	-2.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.28%	10.71%	-1.43%

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FRIAX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than AMBFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

FRIAX vs. AMBFX - Dividend Comparison

FRIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.73%, less than AMBFX's 7.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	7.29%	8.47%	7.40%	2.20%	2.52%	4.50%	4.56%	4.19%	6.20%	4.85%	4.46%	5.81%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.73%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FRIAX and AMBFX in my portfolio?

FRIAX and AMBFX 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, FRIAX or AMBFX?

AMBFX has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to FRIAX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FRIAX dropped -43.23% vs AMBFX's -35.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.61), 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.