NDARX vs. AMBFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NDARX (American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced) and AMBFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, NDARX returned 8.42%/yr vs 10.46%/yr for AMBFX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NDARX charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for AMBFX.

Performance

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced (NDARX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NDARX achieves a 6.53% return, which is significantly lower than AMBFX's 9.85% return. Over the past 10 years, NDARX has underperformed AMBFX with an annualized return of 8.42%, while AMBFX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.46% annualized return.

NDARX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 6.53%
• 6M: 6.72%
• 1Y: 17.12%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 8.42%

AMBFX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 9.85%
• 6M: 10.15%
• 1Y: 24.09%
• 3Y*: 17.10%
• 5Y*: 10.15%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

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

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NDARX American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced	6.53%	17.21%	11.68%	12.03%	-10.98%	15.09%	7.10%	17.88%	-4.99%	13.62%
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	9.85%	18.67%	15.25%	13.81%	-11.93%	16.00%	11.06%	19.45%	-2.69%	14.85%

Correlation

The correlation between NDARX and AMBFX is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.96

The correlation between NDARX and AMBFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NDARX vs. AMBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NDARX

NDARX Risk / Return Rank: 59
NDARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NDARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
NDARX Omega Ratio Rank: 64
NDARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
NDARX Martin Ratio Rank: 59

AMBFX

AMBFX Risk / Return Rank: 83
AMBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AMBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AMBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
AMBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AMBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

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.

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced (NDARX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). 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.

	NDARX	AMBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.61	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.63	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.49	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	3.43	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	15.23	-4.15

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NDARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the AMBFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NDARX and AMBFX, 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

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NDARX drawdown since its inception was -23.62%, smaller than the maximum AMBFX drawdown of -35.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NDARX and AMBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NDARX	AMBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.62%	-35.05%	+11.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.86%	-7.00%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.18%	-10.64%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.37%	-18.65%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.62%	-22.31%	-1.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.49%	-0.19%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.08%	-3.58%	+0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.53%	1.57%	-0.04%

Volatility

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced (NDARX) is 2.77%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) has a volatility of 3.43%. This indicates that NDARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMBFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NDARX	AMBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.77%	3.43%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.50%	7.35%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.96%	9.20%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.54%	10.57%	-1.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.23%	10.71%	-0.48%

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NDARX has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than AMBFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

NDARX vs. AMBFX - Dividend Comparison

NDARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.91%, less than AMBFX's 7.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	7.29%	8.47%	7.40%	2.20%	2.52%	4.50%	4.56%	4.19%	6.20%	4.85%	4.46%	5.81%
NDARX American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Enhanced	4.91%	5.78%	3.07%	3.37%	5.60%	4.29%	2.91%	4.03%	4.29%	2.68%	2.86%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NDARX and AMBFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, NDARX and AMBFX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, NDARX or AMBFX?

AMBFX has higher volatility (3.43%) compared to NDARX (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NDARX dropped -23.62% vs AMBFX's -35.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.14), 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.