NIPAX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

NIPAX (Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from Columbia. Over the past 10 years, NIPAX returned 5.68%/yr vs 10.04%/yr for CBALX. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NIPAX charges 0.16%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio (NIPAX) 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, NIPAX achieves a 4.84% return, which is significantly lower than CBALX's 6.51% return. Over the past 10 years, NIPAX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 5.68%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.04% annualized return.

NIPAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 4.84%
• 6M: 5.13%
• 1Y: 14.80%
• 3Y*: 10.91%
• 5Y*: 4.54%
• 10Y*: 5.68%

CBALX

• 1D: 0.45%
• 1M: 2.11%
• YTD: 6.51%
• 6M: 6.61%
• 1Y: 18.57%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 8.26%
• 10Y*: 10.04%

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

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NIPAX Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio	4.84%	13.17%	8.07%	12.30%	-15.45%	7.44%	10.00%	14.31%	-4.84%	9.59%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.51%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between NIPAX and CBALX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 1996	0.90

The correlation between NIPAX and CBALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NIPAX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NIPAX

NIPAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
NIPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NIPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
NIPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
NIPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
NIPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 59
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio (NIPAX) 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.

	NIPAX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	2.22	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.15	+0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.41	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.76	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.00	11.86	+0.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NIPAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NIPAX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NIPAX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	2.22	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.75	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.89	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.71	+0.17

Drawdowns

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NIPAX drawdown since its inception was -26.77%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NIPAX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NIPAX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-34.53%	+7.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.82%	-6.63%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.56%	-12.06%	+5.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.93%	-20.91%	+0.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.93%	-22.73%	+2.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.29%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-5.31%	+2.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.22%	1.54%	-0.32%

Volatility

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio (NIPAX) is 2.05%, while Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a volatility of 2.53%. This indicates that NIPAX 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

	NIPAX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.05%	2.53%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.33%	6.39%	-1.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.49%	8.25%	-1.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.71%	11.08%	-3.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.28%	11.34%	-4.06%

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NIPAX has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

NIPAX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

NIPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.28%, less than CBALX's 6.10% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.10%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
NIPAX Columbia Capital Allocation Moderate Conservative Portfolio	3.28%	4.05%	3.24%	4.23%	6.79%	9.83%	5.37%	4.49%	7.06%	3.07%	3.42%	4.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NIPAX and CBALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, NIPAX and CBALX 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, NIPAX or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (2.53%) compared to NIPAX (2.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NIPAX dropped -26.77% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NIPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 2.22), 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.