GSFTX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GSFTX (Columbia Dividend Income Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - GSFTX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, GSFTX returned 12.47%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GSFTX charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GSFTX achieves a 8.09% return, which is significantly higher than CBALX's 6.82% return. Over the past 10 years, GSFTX has outperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 12.47%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.10% annualized return.

GSFTX

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: 1.48%
• YTD: 8.09%
• 6M: 8.45%
• 1Y: 20.38%
• 3Y*: 16.58%
• 5Y*: 10.69%
• 10Y*: 12.47%

CBALX

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 4.12%
• YTD: 6.82%
• 6M: 7.03%
• 1Y: 19.03%
• 3Y*: 15.37%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSFTX Columbia Dividend Income Fund	8.09%	15.88%	15.00%	10.57%	-4.94%	26.26%	7.75%	28.12%	-4.38%	20.16%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.82%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between GSFTX 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 (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 5, 1998	0.87

Over the past year, the correlation between GSFTX and CBALX has dropped to 0.64 - well below their long-term average of 0.87, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

GSFTX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSFTX

GSFTX Risk / Return Rank: 68
GSFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
GSFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
GSFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
GSFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
GSFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 64
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
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.

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Dividend Income Fund (GSFTX) 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.

	GSFTX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.31	2.39	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.32	3.38	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.44	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	2.96	+0.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.36	12.71	+1.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSFTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.31, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSFTX 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

	GSFTX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.31	2.39	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.77	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.89	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.71	-0.17

Drawdowns

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSFTX drawdown since its inception was -47.69%, which is greater than CBALX's maximum drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSFTX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSFTX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.69%	-34.53%	-13.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.51%	-6.63%	+1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.01%	-12.06%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.01%	-20.91%	+3.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.76%	-22.73%	-10.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	0.00%	-0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.37%	-5.31%	-1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.54%	-0.08%

Volatility

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Dividend Income Fund (GSFTX) and Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) have volatilities of 2.47% and 2.39%, 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

	GSFTX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	2.39%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.87%	6.35%	+0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	8.21%	+0.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.27%	11.08%	+2.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	11.34%	+4.35%

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GSFTX has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

GSFTX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

GSFTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.99%, 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%
GSFTX Columbia Dividend Income Fund	4.99%	5.35%	6.02%	4.96%	3.87%	2.87%	1.74%	2.90%	7.63%	4.00%	3.77%	8.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GSFTX and CBALX in my portfolio?

GSFTX 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, GSFTX or CBALX?

GSFTX has higher volatility (2.47%) compared to CBALX (2.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSFTX dropped -47.69% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CBALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.31), 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.