GAL vs. ABALX

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

GAL (SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GAL returned 7.90%/yr vs 9.78%/yr for ABALX. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. GAL charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

GAL vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GAL having a 8.34% return and ABALX slightly higher at 8.43%. Over the past 10 years, GAL has underperformed ABALX with an annualized return of 7.90%, while ABALX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.78% annualized return.

GAL

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 0.60%
• 6M: 5.18%
• YTD: 8.34%
• 1Y: 16.90%
• 3Y*: 12.97%
• 5Y*: 6.72%
• 10Y*: 7.90%
• ALL TIME*: 7.34%

ABALX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: -0.79%
• 6M: 5.36%
• YTD: 8.43%
• 1Y: 18.58%
• 3Y*: 15.45%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 9.78%
• ALL TIME*: 8.61%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF	$657.30K	$544.61K	$701.40K

GAL vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF	8.34%	15.95%	9.85%	13.32%	-13.41%	12.23%	9.33%	19.59%	-7.71%	18.67%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	8.43%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	14.69%

Correlation

The correlation between GAL and ABALX is 0.91, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2012	0.87

The correlation between GAL and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAL vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

GAL

GAL Risk / Return Rank: 76
GAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
GAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
GAL Omega Ratio Rank: 76
GAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
GAL Martin Ratio Rank: 79

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 78
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

GAL vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) 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.

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.

	GAL	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.79	1.89	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.51	2.66	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	2.54	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.64	10.80	-0.16

GAL vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAL Sharpe Ratio is 1.79, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAL 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.

Drawdowns

GAL vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAL drawdown since its inception was -28.31%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAL and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAL	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.31%	-40.20%	+11.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.27%	-7.03%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.12%	-10.68%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.14%	-18.76%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.31%	-22.34%	-5.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-1.51%	+0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.72%	-3.84%	+0.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.65%	-0.06%

Volatility

GAL vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF (GAL) has a higher volatility of 2.64% compared to American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) at 2.28%. This indicates that GAL'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

	GAL	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	2.28%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	7.40%	+0.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.52%	9.42%	+0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.53%	10.59%	-0.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.40%	10.70%	+0.70%

GAL vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAL has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAL vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

GAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, less than ABALX's 7.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.19%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%
GAL SPDR SSgA Global Allocation ETF	3.20%	3.47%	2.99%	2.56%	6.19%	4.05%	2.14%	2.96%	2.43%	2.26%	2.43%	3.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAL and ABALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, GAL 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, GAL or ABALX?

GAL has higher volatility (2.64%) compared to ABALX (2.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAL dropped -28.31% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.79), 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.