PLBEX vs. PLBBX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLBEX (Plumb Equity Fund) and PLBBX (Plumb Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - PLBEX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Plumb Funds, while PLBBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Plumb Funds. Over the past 10 years, PLBEX returned 13.81%/yr vs 10.07%/yr for PLBBX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 1.19% expense ratio.

Performance

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Plumb Equity Fund (PLBEX) and Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLBEX achieves a 11.51% return, which is significantly higher than PLBBX's 9.20% return. Over the past 10 years, PLBEX has outperformed PLBBX with an annualized return of 13.81%, while PLBBX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.07% annualized return.

PLBEX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 8.09%
• YTD: 11.51%
• 6M: 11.06%
• 1Y: 23.47%
• 3Y*: 18.41%
• 5Y*: 7.95%
• 10Y*: 13.81%

PLBBX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 2.95%
• YTD: 9.20%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 19.32%
• 3Y*: 15.06%
• 5Y*: 6.84%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

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

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PLBEX Plumb Equity Fund	11.51%	10.58%	18.01%	42.77%	-32.91%	3.44%	32.39%	33.00%	-2.43%	39.86%
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	9.20%	10.54%	13.48%	25.13%	-22.24%	4.02%	21.66%	23.22%	-1.76%	23.23%

Correlation

The correlation between PLBEX and PLBBX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2007	0.99

The correlation between PLBEX and PLBBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PLBEX vs. PLBBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLBEX

PLBEX Risk / Return Rank: 21
PLBEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
PLBEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
PLBEX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
PLBEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
PLBEX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

PLBBX

PLBBX Risk / Return Rank: 41
PLBBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
PLBBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
PLBBX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
PLBBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
PLBBX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Plumb Equity Fund (PLBEX) and Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX). 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.

	PLBEX	PLBBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	1.70	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.98	2.42	-0.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.31	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	2.83	-1.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.13	9.92	-4.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLBEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is comparable to the PLBBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLBEX and PLBBX, 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

	PLBEX	PLBBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	1.70	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.43	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.66	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.44	-0.06

Drawdowns

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLBEX drawdown since its inception was -52.48%, which is greater than PLBBX's maximum drawdown of -43.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLBEX and PLBBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLBEX	PLBBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.48%	-43.26%	-9.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.06%	-7.04%	-9.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.05%	-19.59%	-3.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.69%	-30.70%	-12.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.69%	-30.70%	-12.99%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	-0.05%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.90%	-8.23%	-3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.79%	2.00%	+2.79%

Volatility

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Volatility Comparison

Plumb Equity Fund (PLBEX) has a higher volatility of 6.42% compared to Plumb Balanced Fund (PLBBX) at 3.97%. This indicates that PLBEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PLBBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PLBEX	PLBBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.42%	3.97%	+2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.06%	9.11%	+4.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.84%	11.70%	+6.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.08%	15.95%	+7.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.23%	15.31%	+7.92%

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both PLBEX and PLBBX have an expense ratio of 1.19%.

Dividends

PLBEX vs. PLBBX - Dividend Comparison

PLBEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.44%, less than PLBBX's 8.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLBBX Plumb Balanced Fund	8.60%	9.39%	6.63%	0.94%	7.75%	8.15%	0.40%	2.47%	1.70%	0.64%	0.52%	0.71%
PLBEX Plumb Equity Fund	4.44%	4.96%	0.58%	0.00%	11.55%	25.39%	9.27%	4.24%	14.87%	12.93%	1.07%	12.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PLBEX and PLBBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PLBEX and PLBBX 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, PLBEX or PLBBX?

PLBEX has higher volatility (6.42%) compared to PLBBX (3.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLBEX dropped -52.48% vs PLBBX's -43.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PLBBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 1.38), 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.