RBFFX vs. ABALX
RBFFX (American Funds The Bond Fund of America) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - RBFFX is a Intermediate Core Bond fund managed by American Funds, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX returned 1.99%/yr vs 10.11%/yr for ABALX. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. RBFFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.
Performance
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RBFFX achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 9.77% return. Over the past 10 years, RBFFX has underperformed ABALX with an annualized return of 1.99%, while ABALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.11% annualized return.
RBFFX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 4.01%
- 5Y*
- -0.00%
- 10Y*
- 1.99%
ABALX
- 1D
- 0.84%
- 1M
- 1.76%
- YTD
- 9.77%
- 6M
- 10.06%
- 1Y
- 23.85%
- 3Y*
- 16.77%
- 5Y*
- 9.87%
- 10Y*
- 10.11%
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 0.13% | 7.49% | 1.47% | 4.65% | -13.03% | -0.64% | 11.07% | 8.13% | 0.17% | 3.53% |
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A | 9.77% | 18.45% | 14.63% | 13.65% | -12.13% | 15.75% | 10.85% | 18.60% | -3.35% | 14.69% |
Correlation
The correlation between RBFFX and ABALX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.39 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003 | -0.01 |
The correlation between RBFFX and ABALX shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.39 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RBFFX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank
RBFFX
ABALX
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). 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.
| RBFFX | ABALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.49 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 3.38 | -1.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.29 | 14.98 | -10.68 |
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Drawdowns
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RBFFX drawdown since its inception was -17.62%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RBFFX and ABALX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RBFFX | ABALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.62% | -40.20% | +22.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -7.03% | +3.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -10.68% | +4.57% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.62% | -18.76% | +1.14% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.62% | -22.34% | +4.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -0.19% | -1.40% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -3.85% | +1.04% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.09% | 1.58% | -0.49% |
Volatility
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) is 1.23%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a volatility of 3.45%. This indicates that RBFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RBFFX | ABALX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.23% | 3.45% | -2.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.90% | 7.35% | -4.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.90% | 9.19% | -5.29% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.97% | 10.57% | -4.60% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.90% | 10.71% | -5.81% |
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RBFFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.
Dividends
RBFFX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison
RBFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.45%, less than ABALX's 7.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A | 7.10% | 8.27% | 6.87% | 2.05% | 2.30% | 4.30% | 4.35% | 3.49% | 5.49% | 4.72% | 4.24% | 5.60% |
RBFFX American Funds The Bond Fund of America | 4.45% | 4.43% | 4.61% | 3.53% | 2.42% | 2.31% | 5.34% | 3.76% | 2.67% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.30% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RBFFX and ABALX have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ABALX has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to RBFFX (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RBFFX dropped -17.62% vs ABALX's -40.20%.
ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 1.21), 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.
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