RLBGX vs. RGAGX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

RLBGX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6) and RGAGX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6) are both mutual funds - RLBGX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while RGAGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, RLBGX returned 10.07%/yr vs 15.45%/yr for RGAGX. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RLBGX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for RGAGX.

Performance

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6 (RLBGX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RLBGX achieves a 8.39% return, which is significantly higher than RGAGX's 4.58% return. Over the past 10 years, RLBGX has underperformed RGAGX with an annualized return of 10.07%, while RGAGX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.45% annualized return.

RLBGX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: -0.96%
• 6M: 5.61%
• YTD: 8.39%
• 1Y: 18.68%
• 3Y*: 15.71%
• 5Y*: 9.34%
• 10Y*: 10.07%
• ALL TIME*: 10.31%

RGAGX

• 1D: 1.92%
• 1M: -3.22%
• 6M: 3.92%
• YTD: 4.58%
• 1Y: 13.23%
• 3Y*: 20.03%
• 5Y*: 10.45%
• 10Y*: 15.45%
• ALL TIME*: 15.17%

*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)
RGAGX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RLBGX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RLBGX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6	8.39%	18.83%	15.35%	13.92%	-11.85%	16.10%	11.20%	18.95%	-3.07%	14.97%
RGAGX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6	4.58%	20.08%	28.41%	37.66%	-30.53%	19.67%	38.30%	29.22%	-2.88%	26.53%

Correlation

The correlation between RLBGX and RGAGX is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	0.92

The correlation between RLBGX and RGAGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RLBGX vs. RGAGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RLBGX

RLBGX Risk / Return Rank: 80
RLBGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
RLBGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
RLBGX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
RLBGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RLBGX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

RGAGX

RGAGX Risk / Return Rank: 20
RGAGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
RGAGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
RGAGX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
RGAGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
RGAGX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6 (RLBGX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX). 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.

	RLBGX	RGAGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	0.67	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.64	1.02	+1.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.13	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	0.83	+1.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.76	3.00	+7.76

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RLBGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is higher than the RGAGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RLBGX and RGAGX, 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

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RLBGX drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, smaller than the maximum RGAGX drawdown of -36.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RLBGX and RGAGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RLBGX	RGAGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-36.19%	+13.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.98%	-13.71%	+6.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.65%	-21.54%	+10.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.59%	-36.19%	+17.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.33%	-36.19%	+13.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.68%	-5.44%	+3.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.45%	-5.47%	+3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	3.77%	-2.14%

Volatility

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6 (RLBGX) is 2.33%, while American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6 (RGAGX) has a volatility of 4.82%. This indicates that RLBGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RGAGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RLBGX	RGAGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.33%	4.82%	-2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	13.64%	-6.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.40%	16.90%	-7.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.60%	20.52%	-9.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.71%	19.76%	-9.05%

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RLBGX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than RGAGX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

RLBGX vs. RGAGX - Dividend Comparison

RLBGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.49%, less than RGAGX's 10.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RGAGX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class R-6	10.51%	10.99%	9.29%	7.70%	4.44%	8.49%	4.57%	7.93%	12.36%	7.34%	6.95%	9.22%
RLBGX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6	7.49%	8.56%	7.50%	2.27%	2.63%	4.59%	4.65%	3.78%	5.81%	4.92%	4.54%	5.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RLBGX and RGAGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, RLBGX and RGAGX 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, RLBGX or RGAGX?

RGAGX has higher volatility (4.82%) compared to RLBGX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RLBGX dropped -22.33% vs RGAGX's -36.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RLBGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 0.67), 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.