RFITX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RFITX (American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - RFITX is a Target Retirement Date fund tracking the S&P Target Date 2050 Index, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by American Funds. RFITX is passively managed, while ABALX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RFITX returned 12.38%/yr vs 10.11%/yr for ABALX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RFITX charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

RFITX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFITX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFITX achieves a 10.49% return, which is significantly higher than ABALX's 9.77% return. Over the past 10 years, RFITX has outperformed ABALX with an annualized return of 12.38%, while ABALX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.11% annualized return.

RFITX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 2.22%
• YTD: 10.49%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 24.90%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 10.18%
• 10Y*: 12.38%

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%

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

RFITX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFITX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	10.49%	20.45%	15.43%	20.84%	-18.88%	17.32%	19.44%	25.01%	-5.59%	22.61%
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 RFITX and ABALX 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	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.96

The correlation between RFITX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RFITX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFITX

RFITX Risk / Return Rank: 55
RFITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RFITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
RFITX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
RFITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
RFITX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 83
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

RFITX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFITX) 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.

	RFITX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	2.59	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	3.60	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.49	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	3.38	-0.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.66	14.98	-3.32

RFITX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFITX and ABALX, 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

RFITX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFITX drawdown since its inception was -29.28%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFITX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFITX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.28%	-40.20%	+10.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-7.03%	-2.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.86%	-10.68%	-4.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.47%	-18.76%	-7.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.28%	-22.34%	-6.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.19%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-3.85%	-0.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.11%	1.58%	+0.53%

Volatility

RFITX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6 (RFITX) has a higher volatility of 4.92% compared to American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) at 3.45%. This indicates that RFITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFITX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.92%	3.45%	+1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.16%	7.35%	+2.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.29%	9.19%	+3.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.40%	10.57%	+3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.92%	10.71%	+4.21%

RFITX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RFITX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

RFITX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

RFITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.49%, 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%
RFITX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund Class R6	5.49%	6.07%	3.62%	2.64%	7.38%	4.60%	3.40%	4.46%	5.11%	2.64%	3.82%	5.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFITX and ABALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, RFITX and ABALX 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, RFITX or ABALX?

RFITX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to ABALX (3.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFITX dropped -29.28% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.59 vs 2.01), 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.