LKBLX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

LKBLX (LK Balanced Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, LKBLX returned 7.63%/yr vs 9.90%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LKBLX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in LK Balanced Fund (LKBLX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with LKBLX having a 6.88% return and VBAIX slightly higher at 7.02%. Over the past 10 years, LKBLX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 7.63%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.90% annualized return.

LKBLX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 1.90%
• 6M: 3.79%
• YTD: 6.88%
• 1Y: 10.29%
• 3Y*: 9.72%
• 5Y*: 4.27%
• 10Y*: 7.63%

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 5.55%
• YTD: 7.02%
• 1Y: 15.00%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

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

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
LKBLX LK Balanced Fund	6.88%	7.12%	9.78%	8.29%	-5.58%	12.30%	5.12%	20.39%	-3.28%	14.04%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.02%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between LKBLX and VBAIX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2012	0.82

Over the past year, the correlation between LKBLX and VBAIX has dropped to 0.53 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

LKBLX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

LKBLX

LKBLX Risk / Return Rank: 42
LKBLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
LKBLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
LKBLX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
LKBLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
LKBLX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for LK Balanced Fund (LKBLX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	LKBLX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.29	1.77	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.99	2.52	-0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.32	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	2.53	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.22	11.10	-4.88

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LKBLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.29, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LKBLX and VBAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LKBLX drawdown since its inception was -28.77%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LKBLX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	LKBLX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.77%	-35.82%	+7.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.20%	-5.84%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.30%	-11.57%	-0.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.46%	-21.52%	+0.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.77%	-22.77%	-6.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.65%	-0.36%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.76%	-4.41%	-0.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.70%	1.33%	+0.37%

Volatility

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for LK Balanced Fund (LKBLX) is 2.44%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that LKBLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LKBLX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.44%	2.83%	-0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.46%	6.75%	-1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.20%	8.37%	-0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.88%	11.18%	+0.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.47%	11.24%	+1.23%

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

LKBLX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

LKBLX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

LKBLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.41%, more than VBAIX's 5.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LKBLX LK Balanced Fund	11.41%	12.20%	8.93%	6.68%	3.90%	1.96%	6.01%	3.14%	7.14%	2.13%	1.58%	3.57%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.33%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LKBLX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

LKBLX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, LKBLX or VBAIX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to LKBLX (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LKBLX dropped -28.77% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.29), 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.