LBSAX vs. VALAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

LBSAX (Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A) and VALAX (Al Frank Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, LBSAX returned 12.10%/yr vs 14.25%/yr for VALAX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LBSAX charges 0.90%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for VALAX.

Performance

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A (LBSAX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LBSAX achieves a 6.98% return, which is significantly lower than VALAX's 21.52% return. Over the past 10 years, LBSAX has underperformed VALAX with an annualized return of 12.10%, while VALAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.25% annualized return.

LBSAX

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: -0.16%
• YTD: 6.98%
• 6M: 8.33%
• 1Y: 19.46%
• 3Y*: 15.93%
• 5Y*: 10.19%
• 10Y*: 12.10%

VALAX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 21.52%
• 6M: 23.95%
• 1Y: 51.82%
• 3Y*: 24.34%
• 5Y*: 11.44%
• 10Y*: 14.25%

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

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LBSAX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A	6.98%	15.58%	14.73%	10.26%	-5.19%	25.97%	7.48%	27.84%	-4.62%	19.96%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	21.52%	23.57%	13.35%	14.05%	-13.50%	24.97%	10.22%	33.98%	-7.87%	18.09%

Correlation

The correlation between LBSAX and VALAX is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.90

The correlation between LBSAX and VALAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LBSAX vs. VALAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LBSAX

LBSAX Risk / Return Rank: 62
LBSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
LBSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
LBSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
LBSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
LBSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 72

VALAX

VALAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
VALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
VALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A (LBSAX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). 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.

	LBSAX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	3.85	-1.65
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	5.16	-2.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.68	-0.29
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.64	6.06	-2.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.69	24.28	-10.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LBSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is lower than the VALAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LBSAX and VALAX, 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

	LBSAX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.19	3.85	-1.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.65	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.74	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.43	+0.19

Drawdowns

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LBSAX drawdown since its inception was -47.89%, smaller than the maximum VALAX drawdown of -61.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LBSAX and VALAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LBSAX	VALAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.89%	-61.26%	+13.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.52%	-8.56%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.03%	-25.81%	+12.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.16%	-25.81%	+8.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.82%	-38.22%	+5.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-0.03%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.26%	-10.75%	+5.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.47%	2.14%	-0.67%

Volatility

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A (LBSAX) is 2.34%, while Al Frank Fund (VALAX) has a volatility of 4.05%. This indicates that LBSAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VALAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LBSAX	VALAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.34%	4.05%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	10.68%	-3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.06%	13.65%	-4.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.26%	17.77%	-4.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.69%	19.34%	-3.65%

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LBSAX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is lower than VALAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

LBSAX vs. VALAX - Dividend Comparison

LBSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.81%, less than VALAX's 7.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LBSAX Columbia Dividend Income Fund Class A	4.81%	5.11%	5.78%	4.72%	3.62%	2.65%	1.52%	2.68%	7.36%	3.83%	3.60%	8.01%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	7.12%	8.65%	10.32%	5.95%	8.62%	6.83%	7.17%	13.51%	10.73%	10.66%	5.32%	9.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LBSAX and VALAX in my portfolio?

LBSAX and VALAX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LBSAX or VALAX?

VALAX has higher volatility (4.05%) compared to LBSAX (2.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LBSAX dropped -47.89% vs VALAX's -61.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VALAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.85 vs 2.19), 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.