RIRGX vs. VBAIX

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

RIRGX (American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6) and VBAIX (Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. RIRGX is actively managed, while VBAIX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RIRGX returned 7.98%/yr vs 9.90%/yr for VBAIX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RIRGX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VBAIX.

Performance

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6 (RIRGX) 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, RIRGX achieves a 8.80% return, which is significantly higher than VBAIX's 7.02% return. Over the past 10 years, RIRGX has underperformed VBAIX with an annualized return of 7.98%, while VBAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.90% annualized return.

RIRGX

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 0.82%
• 6M: 7.29%
• YTD: 8.80%
• 1Y: 16.20%
• 3Y*: 15.34%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 7.98%

VBAIX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.95%
• 6M: 5.55%
• YTD: 7.02%
• 1Y: 15.00%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

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

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RIRGX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6	8.80%	20.76%	9.78%	9.31%	-6.85%	15.39%	3.31%	17.61%	-6.75%	14.30%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.02%	13.60%	17.78%	17.55%	-16.87%	14.20%	16.40%	21.79%	-2.83%	13.86%

Correlation

The correlation between RIRGX and VBAIX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.86

The correlation between RIRGX and VBAIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.86 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RIRGX vs. VBAIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RIRGX

RIRGX Risk / Return Rank: 72
RIRGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
RIRGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
RIRGX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
RIRGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
RIRGX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VBAIX

VBAIX Risk / Return Rank: 68
VBAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VBAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VBAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VBAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6 (RIRGX) 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.

	RIRGX	VBAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	1.77	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.84	2.52	+0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.32	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	2.53	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.95	11.10	-1.14

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RIRGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the VBAIX Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RIRGX 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

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RIRGX drawdown since its inception was -25.25%, smaller than the maximum VBAIX drawdown of -35.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RIRGX and VBAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RIRGX	VBAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.25%	-35.82%	+10.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-5.84%	-0.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.88%	-11.57%	+2.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.45%	-21.52%	+4.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.25%	-22.77%	-2.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.36%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.04%	-4.41%	+1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.33%	+0.30%

Volatility

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6 (RIRGX) is 2.29%, while Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares (VBAIX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that RIRGX 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

	RIRGX	VBAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.29%	2.83%	-0.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.67%	6.75%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.22%	8.37%	-0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.01%	11.18%	-1.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.77%	11.24%	-0.47%

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RIRGX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VBAIX's 0.04% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

RIRGX vs. VBAIX - Dividend Comparison

RIRGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.53%, more than VBAIX's 5.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RIRGX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class R6	7.53%	8.03%	5.35%	3.79%	3.77%	3.46%	3.49%	4.41%	4.12%	4.73%	2.88%	3.92%
VBAIX Vanguard Balanced Index Fund Institutional Shares	5.33%	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 RIRGX and VBAIX in my portfolio?

RIRGX and VBAIX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RIRGX or VBAIX?

VBAIX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to RIRGX (2.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RIRGX dropped -25.25% vs VBAIX's -35.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RIRGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.98 vs 1.77), 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.