RBBAX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RBBAX (Columbia Income Builder Fund) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, RBBAX returned 5.05%/yr vs 9.67%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RBBAX charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Income Builder Fund (RBBAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RBBAX achieves a 3.76% return, which is significantly lower than VBAIX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, RBBAX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 5.05%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.67% annualized return.

RBBAX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: -0.15%
• 6M: 2.09%
• YTD: 3.76%
• 1Y: 9.29%
• 3Y*: 8.10%
• 5Y*: 2.97%
• 10Y*: 5.05%
• ALL TIME*: 5.09%

VBAIX

• 1D: 1.01%
• 1M: -0.83%
• 6M: 4.74%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 1Y: 12.60%
• 3Y*: 13.84%
• 5Y*: 7.53%
• 10Y*: 9.67%
• ALL TIME*: 7.40%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
RBBAX Columbia Income Builder Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RBBAX Columbia Income Builder Fund	3.76%	11.15%	4.96%	9.02%	-12.87%	6.08%	10.15%	13.77%	-2.66%	7.51%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.84%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between RBBAX and VBAIX is 0.78, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2007	0.87

The correlation between RBBAX and VBAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RBBAX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RBBAX

RBBAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
RBBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
RBBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
RBBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
RBBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
RBBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 65
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Income Builder Fund (RBBAX) and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX). 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.

	RBBAX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	1.45	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.07	+0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.26	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.13	+0.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.28	9.09	+0.19

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RBBAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RBBAX and VBAIX, 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

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RBBAX drawdown since its inception was -23.23%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBBAX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RBBAX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.23%	-35.82%	+12.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.93%	-5.84%	+1.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.05%	-11.57%	+5.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.06%	-21.52%	+3.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.06%	-22.77%	+4.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-1.46%	+0.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.97%	-4.40%	+1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.97%	1.36%	-0.39%

Volatility

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Columbia Income Builder Fund (RBBAX) is 1.20%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a volatility of 2.31%. This indicates that RBBAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VBAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RBBAX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.20%	2.31%	-1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.86%	6.84%	-2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.71%	8.56%	-3.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.36%	11.19%	-4.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.83%	11.25%	-5.42%

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RBBAX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

RBBAX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

RBBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.29%, less than VBAIX's 5.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RBBAX Columbia Income Builder Fund	3.29%	3.85%	3.95%	3.82%	4.94%	4.73%	4.07%	3.90%	3.92%	3.47%	3.01%	6.84%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.39%	6.01%	8.01%	4.36%	2.84%	3.20%	2.65%	2.29%	2.33%	1.96%	2.10%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RBBAX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

RBBAX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RBBAX or VBAIX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.31%) compared to RBBAX (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBBAX dropped -23.23% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RBBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.45), 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.