RBAIX vs. VWELX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RBAIX (T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class) and VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, RBAIX returned 9.67%/yr vs 10.20%/yr for VWELX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RBAIX charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.24%/yr for VWELX.

Performance

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class (RBAIX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RBAIX having a 6.92% return and VWELX slightly higher at 7.11%. Over the past 10 years, RBAIX has underperformed VWELX with an annualized return of 9.67%, while VWELX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.20% annualized return.

RBAIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 2.83%
• YTD: 6.92%
• 6M: 7.49%
• 1Y: 18.18%
• 3Y*: 14.71%
• 5Y*: 7.46%
• 10Y*: 9.67%

VWELX

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: 3.86%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 7.36%
• 1Y: 21.02%
• 3Y*: 15.61%
• 5Y*: 8.97%
• 10Y*: 10.20%

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

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBAIX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class	6.92%	16.23%	11.87%	18.12%	-17.14%	13.45%	14.64%	22.71%	-4.82%	17.68%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	7.11%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RBAIX and VWELX 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	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.94

The correlation between RBAIX and VWELX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RBAIX vs. VWELX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RBAIX

RBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 55
RBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
RBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
RBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
RBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
RBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class (RBAIX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX). 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.

	RBAIX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	2.56	-0.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.20	3.60	-0.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.48	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.59	3.17	-0.58
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.53	14.69	-3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is comparable to the VWELX Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBAIX and VWELX, 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

	RBAIX	VWELX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	2.56	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.81	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.89	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.84	0.00

Drawdowns

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBAIX drawdown since its inception was -25.49%, smaller than the maximum VWELX drawdown of -36.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBAIX and VWELX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBAIX	VWELX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.49%	-36.12%	+10.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.11%	-6.78%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.40%	-11.98%	+1.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.32%	-20.88%	-2.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.49%	-25.33%	-0.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.75%	-3.92%	+0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.59%	1.46%	+0.13%

Volatility

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class (RBAIX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) have volatilities of 2.63% and 2.52%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBAIX	VWELX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.63%	2.52%	+0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.87%	6.67%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.30%	8.38%	-0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.95%	11.13%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.55%	11.53%	+0.02%

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBAIX has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than VWELX's 0.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBAIX vs. VWELX - Dividend Comparison

RBAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.06%, less than VWELX's 10.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RBAIX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund I Class	7.06%	7.44%	7.43%	3.92%	5.27%	9.43%	4.70%	4.97%	8.56%	6.16%	3.55%	0.00%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.76%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBAIX and VWELX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, RBAIX and VWELX 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, RBAIX or VWELX?

RBAIX has higher volatility (2.63%) compared to VWELX (2.52%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBAIX dropped -25.49% vs VWELX's -36.12%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWELX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 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.