GFIZX vs. CSTAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GFIZX (GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund) and CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, GFIZX returned 4.30%/yr vs 4.97%/yr for CSTAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.41% expense ratio.

Performance

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund (GFIZX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFIZX achieves a 2.72% return, which is significantly higher than CSTAX's 1.30% return. Over the past 10 years, GFIZX has underperformed CSTAX with an annualized return of 4.30%, while CSTAX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.97% annualized return.

GFIZX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 1.12%
• YTD: 2.72%
• 6M: 3.07%
• 1Y: 8.88%
• 3Y*: 8.01%
• 5Y*: 3.43%
• 10Y*: 4.30%

CSTAX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.30%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.47%
• 3Y*: 6.81%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 4.97%

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

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFIZX GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund	2.72%	9.46%	6.69%	8.80%	-10.17%	3.82%	6.93%	10.74%	-2.13%	7.11%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	1.30%	9.00%	5.57%	6.57%	-9.87%	6.52%	7.66%	13.35%	-2.23%	11.77%

Correlation

The correlation between GFIZX and CSTAX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.86

The correlation between GFIZX and CSTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFIZX vs. CSTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFIZX

GFIZX Risk / Return Rank: 51
GFIZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
GFIZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
GFIZX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
GFIZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
GFIZX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

CSTAX

CSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 56
CSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
CSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
CSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
CSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
CSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund (GFIZX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). 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.

	GFIZX	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.25	-0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.38	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.45	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.52	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.35	9.68	+0.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFIZX Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the CSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFIZX and CSTAX, 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

	GFIZX	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.25	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.53	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.86	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.87	-0.24

Drawdowns

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFIZX drawdown since its inception was -18.90%, which is greater than CSTAX's maximum drawdown of -14.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFIZX and CSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFIZX	CSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.90%	-14.52%	-4.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.98%	-2.72%	-1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.54%	-4.89%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.03%	-14.52%	+0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.03%	-14.52%	+0.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.56%	+0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.28%	-2.35%	+0.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.89%	0.71%	+0.18%

Volatility

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Volatility Comparison

GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund (GFIZX) has a higher volatility of 1.66% compared to American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) at 1.10%. This indicates that GFIZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFIZX	CSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.66%	1.10%	+0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.64%	2.31%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.43%	3.04%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.39%	5.16%	+0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.37%	5.79%	-0.42%

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both GFIZX and CSTAX have an expense ratio of 0.41%.

Dividends

GFIZX vs. CSTAX - Dividend Comparison

GFIZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, more than CSTAX's 5.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	5.20%	5.26%	3.78%	3.17%	3.40%	7.52%	5.72%	4.00%	4.78%	3.90%	4.34%	4.49%
GFIZX GuideStone Funds Conservative Allocation Fund	5.54%	5.69%	4.75%	3.73%	4.69%	3.63%	2.89%	4.47%	3.27%	1.59%	1.17%	7.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFIZX and CSTAX in my portfolio?

GFIZX and CSTAX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFIZX or CSTAX?

GFIZX has higher volatility (1.66%) compared to CSTAX (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFIZX dropped -18.90% vs CSTAX's -14.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 2.08), 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.