PRWBX vs. RPBAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRWBX (T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund) and RPBAX (T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund) are both mutual funds - PRWBX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while RPBAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by T. Rowe Price. Over the past 10 years, PRWBX returned 2.57%/yr vs 8.85%/yr for RPBAX. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PRWBX charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.57%/yr for RPBAX.

Performance

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund (PRWBX) and T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund (RPBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRWBX achieves a 0.60% return, which is significantly lower than RPBAX's 6.87% return. Over the past 10 years, PRWBX has underperformed RPBAX with an annualized return of 2.57%, while RPBAX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.85% annualized return.

PRWBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.14%
• YTD: 0.60%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 5.53%
• 3Y*: 5.79%
• 5Y*: 2.69%
• 10Y*: 2.57%

RPBAX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 2.83%
• YTD: 6.87%
• 6M: 7.44%
• 1Y: 18.04%
• 3Y*: 14.55%
• 5Y*: 7.31%
• 10Y*: 8.85%

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

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRWBX T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund	0.60%	7.22%	6.22%	5.54%	-4.99%	-0.23%	4.56%	4.33%	1.38%	1.33%
RPBAX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund	6.87%	16.06%	11.71%	18.01%	-17.28%	13.29%	14.54%	20.75%	-4.89%	12.58%

Correlation

The correlation between PRWBX and RPBAX is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1990	0.06

The correlation between PRWBX and RPBAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.06 (all time) to 0.20 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRWBX vs. RPBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRWBX

PRWBX Risk / Return Rank: 89
PRWBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
PRWBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PRWBX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PRWBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
PRWBX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

RPBAX

RPBAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
RPBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RPBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
RPBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
RPBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
RPBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund (PRWBX) and T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund (RPBAX). 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.

	PRWBX	RPBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.19	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.43	3.17	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.76	1.41	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.31	2.55	+2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.29	11.36	+8.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRWBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the RPBAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRWBX and RPBAX, 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

	PRWBX	RPBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.19	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.06	0.67	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.18	0.76	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.41	0.71	+0.70

Drawdowns

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRWBX drawdown since its inception was -7.78%, smaller than the maximum RPBAX drawdown of -40.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRWBX and RPBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRWBX	RPBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-40.79%	+33.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.07%	-7.15%	+6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-1.07%	-10.43%	+9.36%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.29%	-23.45%	+16.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-7.29%	-25.49%	+18.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.22%	0.00%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.95%	-4.15%	+3.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	1.60%	-1.32%

Volatility

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund (PRWBX) is 0.69%, while T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund (RPBAX) has a volatility of 2.61%. This indicates that PRWBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RPBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRWBX	RPBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.69%	2.61%	-1.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.62%	6.88%	-5.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27%	8.32%	-6.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.56%	10.97%	-8.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	2.18%	11.63%	-9.45%

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRWBX has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is lower than RPBAX's 0.57% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRWBX vs. RPBAX - Dividend Comparison

PRWBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.63%, less than RPBAX's 6.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRWBX T. Rowe Price Short-Term Bond Fund	5.63%	5.64%	5.12%	3.57%	1.38%	1.24%	1.92%	2.52%	2.22%	1.75%	1.58%	1.46%
RPBAX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund	6.92%	7.30%	7.28%	3.80%	5.03%	9.33%	4.59%	3.41%	8.42%	1.69%	2.96%	7.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRWBX and RPBAX in my portfolio?

PRWBX and RPBAX have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRWBX or RPBAX?

RPBAX has higher volatility (2.61%) compared to PRWBX (0.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRWBX dropped -7.78% vs RPBAX's -40.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRWBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.19), 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.