GBLAX vs. WARAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GBLAX (American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A) and WARAX (Allspring Absolute Return Fund) are both Global Allocation funds. Over the past 10 years, GBLAX returned 7.02%/yr vs 5.89%/yr for WARAX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GBLAX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for WARAX.

Performance

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A (GBLAX) and Allspring Absolute Return Fund (WARAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GBLAX achieves a 6.41% return, which is significantly lower than WARAX's 18.97% return. Over the past 10 years, GBLAX has outperformed WARAX with an annualized return of 7.02%, while WARAX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.89% annualized return.

GBLAX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 2.01%
• YTD: 6.41%
• 6M: 6.73%
• 1Y: 16.71%
• 3Y*: 12.67%
• 5Y*: 5.87%
• 10Y*: 7.02%

WARAX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.55%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 20.03%
• 1Y: 28.57%
• 3Y*: 14.34%
• 5Y*: 7.06%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

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

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GBLAX American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A	6.41%	17.12%	6.56%	13.68%	-14.25%	9.18%	10.47%	17.26%	-6.13%	13.99%
WARAX Allspring Absolute Return Fund	18.97%	8.07%	5.93%	12.53%	-2.75%	2.25%	-3.25%	11.65%	-5.78%	12.11%

Correlation

The correlation between GBLAX and WARAX is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 2, 2012	0.74

Over the past year, the correlation between GBLAX and WARAX has dropped to 0.49 - well below their long-term average of 0.74, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GBLAX vs. WARAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GBLAX

GBLAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
GBLAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
GBLAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
GBLAX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
GBLAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
GBLAX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

WARAX

WARAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
WARAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
WARAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
WARAX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
WARAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
WARAX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A (GBLAX) and Allspring Absolute Return Fund (WARAX). 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.

	GBLAX	WARAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	3.48	-1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.99	4.89	-1.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.66	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.54	7.67	-5.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.18	26.99	-15.81
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GBLAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is lower than the WARAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GBLAX and WARAX, 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

	GBLAX	WARAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	3.48	-1.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.93	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.75	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.66	0.62	+0.03

Drawdowns

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GBLAX drawdown since its inception was -23.36%, roughly equal to the maximum WARAX drawdown of -23.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GBLAX and WARAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GBLAX	WARAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.36%	-23.16%	-0.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.74%	-3.79%	-2.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.90%	-5.67%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.55%	-14.64%	-7.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.36%	-23.16%	-0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.54%	-0.15%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-3.84%	+0.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.07%	+0.46%

Volatility

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A (GBLAX) has a higher volatility of 2.77% compared to Allspring Absolute Return Fund (WARAX) at 2.40%. This indicates that GBLAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WARAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GBLAX	WARAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	2.40%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.79%	6.77%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.21%	8.37%	-0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.91%	7.66%	+2.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.45%	7.93%	+2.52%

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GBLAX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than WARAX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

GBLAX vs. WARAX - Dividend Comparison

GBLAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.99%, more than WARAX's 1.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GBLAX American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class A	5.99%	6.34%	5.53%	1.61%	1.52%	6.02%	1.24%	1.87%	2.30%	3.15%	2.00%	3.28%
WARAX Allspring Absolute Return Fund	1.68%	2.00%	10.90%	2.80%	2.34%	3.23%	3.34%	3.38%	2.66%	1.77%	0.76%	1.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GBLAX and WARAX in my portfolio?

GBLAX and WARAX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GBLAX or WARAX?

GBLAX has higher volatility (2.77%) compared to WARAX (2.40%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GBLAX dropped -23.36% vs WARAX's -23.16%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WARAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.48 vs 2.09), 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.