GFSDX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GFSDX (Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - GFSDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past year, GFSDX returned 19.78% vs 19.47% for CBALX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. GFSDX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S (GFSDX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with GFSDX having a 7.12% return and CBALX slightly lower at 6.77%.

GFSDX

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 7.12%
• 6M: 8.48%
• 1Y: 19.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CBALX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 3.83%
• YTD: 6.77%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 19.47%
• 3Y*: 15.35%
• 5Y*: 8.41%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GFSDX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S	7.12%	15.83%	-2.40%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.77%	14.14%	-2.97%

Correlation

The correlation between GFSDX and CBALX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.69

The correlation between GFSDX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFSDX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFSDX

GFSDX Risk / Return Rank: 64
GFSDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
GFSDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
GFSDX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
GFSDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
GFSDX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 64
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S (GFSDX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX). 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.

	GFSDX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.41	-0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.19	3.40	-0.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.44	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	2.96	+0.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.98	12.74	+1.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFSDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFSDX and CBALX, 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

	GFSDX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.23	2.41	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.89	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	0.71	+0.38

Drawdowns

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFSDX drawdown since its inception was -13.02%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFSDX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFSDX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.02%	-34.53%	+21.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.51%	-6.63%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.91%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.73%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.20%	0.00%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.72%	-5.31%	+3.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.54%	-0.08%

Volatility

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S (GFSDX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) have volatilities of 2.34% and 2.38%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFSDX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.34%	2.38%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	6.35%	+0.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	8.22%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.92%	11.08%	+1.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.92%	11.34%	+1.58%

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFSDX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFSDX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

GFSDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.04%, less than CBALX's 6.08% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.08%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
GFSDX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class S	5.04%	5.34%	4.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFSDX and CBALX in my portfolio?

GFSDX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFSDX or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to GFSDX (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFSDX dropped -13.02% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.23), 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.