NCMAX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NCMAX (Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - NCMAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, NCMAX returned 1.82%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for CBALX. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. NCMAX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NCMAX) 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, NCMAX achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than CBALX's 6.03% return. Over the past 10 years, NCMAX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 1.82%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.

NCMAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 5.58%
• 3Y*: 3.41%
• 5Y*: 1.03%
• 10Y*: 1.82%

CBALX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 1.25%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 6M: 5.93%
• 1Y: 17.64%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 8.39%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NCMAX Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund	1.15%	4.87%	1.10%	4.47%	-6.46%	1.01%	3.68%	6.74%	1.18%	4.65%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.03%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between NCMAX and CBALX is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2002	-0.04

The correlation between NCMAX and CBALX shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (all time) to 0.21 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

NCMAX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NCMAX

NCMAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
NCMAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
NCMAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
NCMAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
NCMAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
NCMAX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 54
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NCMAX) 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.

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.

	NCMAX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.84	1.99	+0.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.60	2.80	+1.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.80	1.37	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.08	2.64	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.58	11.01	-4.43

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NCMAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.84, which is higher than the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NCMAX 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.

Drawdowns

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NCMAX drawdown since its inception was -10.92%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NCMAX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NCMAX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.92%	-34.53%	+23.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.70%	-6.63%	+3.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.43%	-12.06%	+8.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.49%	-20.91%	+10.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.92%	-22.73%	+11.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-0.74%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.64%	-5.31%	+3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	1.58%	-0.73%

Volatility

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund (NCMAX) is 0.51%, while Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a volatility of 3.74%. This indicates that NCMAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CBALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NCMAX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.51%	3.74%	-3.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.57%	7.12%	-5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97%	8.77%	-6.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.78%	11.17%	-8.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.26%	11.39%	-8.13%

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NCMAX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

NCMAX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

NCMAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, less than CBALX's 6.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.19%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
NCMAX Columbia California Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund	2.95%	3.77%	2.52%	2.39%	2.29%	2.23%	2.37%	2.85%	2.90%	2.79%	2.81%	2.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NCMAX and CBALX in my portfolio?

NCMAX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NCMAX or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (3.74%) compared to NCMAX (0.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NCMAX dropped -10.92% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NCMAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.84 vs 1.99), 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.