NSTMX vs. CBALX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

NSTMX (Columbia Short Term Bond Fund) and CBALX (Columbia Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - NSTMX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Columbia, while CBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Columbia. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX returned 2.54%/yr vs 10.22%/yr for CBALX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. NSTMX charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.67%/yr for CBALX.

Performance

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) 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, NSTMX achieves a 1.11% return, which is significantly lower than CBALX's 5.48% return. Over the past 10 years, NSTMX has underperformed CBALX with an annualized return of 2.54%, while CBALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.22% annualized return.

NSTMX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 1.11%
• 6M: 1.50%
• 1Y: 4.56%
• 3Y*: 5.68%
• 5Y*: 2.84%
• 10Y*: 2.54%

CBALX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 5.08%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	1.11%	5.95%	5.45%	6.97%	-4.82%	0.73%	3.42%	5.20%	0.62%	1.04%
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	5.48%	14.14%	14.60%	21.49%	-16.63%	14.92%	17.91%	23.05%	-5.75%	14.29%

Correlation

The correlation between NSTMX and CBALX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.03

Over the past year, NSTMX and CBALX have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.03, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

NSTMX vs. CBALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NSTMX

NSTMX Risk / Return Rank: 94
NSTMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
NSTMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
NSTMX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
NSTMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
NSTMX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

CBALX

CBALX Risk / Return Rank: 51
CBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
CBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
CBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) 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.

	NSTMX	CBALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	1.94	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.40	2.73	+2.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.75	1.36	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.14	2.58	+2.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.42	10.75	+11.67

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NSTMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is higher than the CBALX Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NSTMX 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

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NSTMX drawdown since its inception was -9.50%, smaller than the maximum CBALX drawdown of -34.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NSTMX and CBALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NSTMX	CBALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-34.53%	+25.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.91%	-6.63%	+5.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-0.91%	-12.06%	+11.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.06%	-20.91%	+13.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-9.50%	-22.73%	+13.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.26%	+1.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.53%	-5.30%	+4.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.21%	1.59%	-1.38%

Volatility

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Short Term Bond Fund (NSTMX) is 0.52%, while Columbia Balanced Fund (CBALX) has a volatility of 3.69%. This indicates that NSTMX 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

	NSTMX	CBALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.52%	3.69%	-3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.23%	7.10%	-5.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75%	8.81%	-7.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.21%	11.17%	-8.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.14%	11.39%	-9.25%

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NSTMX has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is lower than CBALX's 0.67% expense ratio.

Dividends

NSTMX vs. CBALX - Dividend Comparison

NSTMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.58%, less than CBALX's 6.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CBALX Columbia Balanced Fund	6.22%	6.42%	7.83%	1.84%	5.36%	9.26%	5.31%	4.16%	5.82%	2.79%	1.60%	4.05%
NSTMX Columbia Short Term Bond Fund	4.58%	4.73%	3.84%	3.71%	2.11%	1.53%	2.32%	3.45%	1.42%	1.44%	0.89%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NSTMX and CBALX in my portfolio?

NSTMX and CBALX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NSTMX or CBALX?

CBALX has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to NSTMX (0.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NSTMX dropped -9.50% vs CBALX's -34.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NSTMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.94), 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.