HBLYX vs. BALFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HBLYX (The Hartford Balanced Income Fund) and BALFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX returned 6.75%/yr vs 10.05%/yr for BALFX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HBLYX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.62%/yr for BALFX.

Performance

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HBLYX achieves a 2.50% return, which is significantly lower than BALFX's 9.67% return. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX has underperformed BALFX with an annualized return of 6.75%, while BALFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.05% annualized return.

HBLYX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: 3.37%
• 1Y: 10.55%
• 3Y*: 9.59%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 6.75%

BALFX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 3.57%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 25.12%
• 3Y*: 17.40%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 10.05%

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

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	2.50%	10.03%	9.00%	7.95%	-8.18%	10.01%	7.73%	19.36%	-4.82%	11.78%
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	9.67%	18.40%	14.91%	13.62%	-12.19%	15.69%	10.81%	18.50%	-3.54%	14.63%

Correlation

The correlation between HBLYX and BALFX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2006	0.88

Over the past year, the correlation between HBLYX and BALFX has dropped to 0.66 - well below their long-term average of 0.88, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

HBLYX vs. BALFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HBLYX

HBLYX Risk / Return Rank: 34
HBLYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
HBLYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
HBLYX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
HBLYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
HBLYX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

BALFX

BALFX Risk / Return Rank: 85
BALFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
BALFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
BALFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BALFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
BALFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX). 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.

	HBLYX	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.95	-1.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.56	4.12	-1.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.56	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	3.65	-1.75
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.04	16.54	-9.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HBLYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the BALFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HBLYX and BALFX, 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

	HBLYX	BALFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.95	-1.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.92	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.95	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.69	+0.13

Drawdowns

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HBLYX drawdown since its inception was -31.36%, smaller than the maximum BALFX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HBLYX and BALFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HBLYX	BALFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.36%	-40.20%	+8.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-7.03%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.71%	-10.67%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.92%	-18.81%	+2.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.19%	-22.34%	-0.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.43%	0.00%	-1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.10%	-4.16%	+1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	1.55%	-0.04%

Volatility

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) is 1.62%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund (BALFX) has a volatility of 2.66%. This indicates that HBLYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BALFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HBLYX	BALFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.62%	2.66%	-1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.50%	6.87%	-2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.84%	8.74%	-2.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.96%	10.48%	-2.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.39%	10.66%	-2.27%

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HBLYX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than BALFX's 0.62% expense ratio.

Dividends

HBLYX vs. BALFX - Dividend Comparison

HBLYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.80%, less than BALFX's 7.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BALFX American Funds American Balanced Fund	7.51%	8.22%	7.14%	2.02%	2.24%	4.24%	4.31%	3.44%	5.30%	4.66%	4.18%	5.54%
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	6.80%	6.97%	9.70%	3.44%	6.90%	7.00%	2.83%	3.49%	7.25%	5.58%	3.89%	4.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HBLYX and BALFX in my portfolio?

HBLYX and BALFX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HBLYX or BALFX?

BALFX has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to HBLYX (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HBLYX dropped -31.36% vs BALFX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BALFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 1.81), 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.