RLBGX vs. VWENX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RLBGX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6) and VWENX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, RLBGX returned 10.43%/yr vs 10.21%/yr for VWENX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RLBGX charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VWENX.

Performance

RLBGX vs. VWENX - 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 Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RLBGX achieves a 9.60% return, which is significantly higher than VWENX's 6.44% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RLBGX having a 10.43% annualized return and VWENX not far behind at 10.21%.

RLBGX

• 1D: -0.46%
• 1M: 2.89%
• YTD: 9.60%
• 6M: 10.45%
• 1Y: 24.34%
• 3Y*: 17.71%
• 5Y*: 9.82%
• 10Y*: 10.43%

VWENX

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 2.72%
• YTD: 6.44%
• 6M: 6.71%
• 1Y: 20.00%
• 3Y*: 15.44%
• 5Y*: 8.77%
• 10Y*: 10.21%

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

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RLBGX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6	9.60%	18.83%	15.35%	13.92%	-11.85%	16.10%	11.20%	18.95%	-3.07%	14.97%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	6.44%	16.63%	14.82%	14.40%	-14.31%	19.09%	10.66%	22.61%	-3.35%	14.05%

Correlation

The correlation between RLBGX and VWENX is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.96

The correlation between RLBGX and VWENX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RLBGX vs. VWENX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RLBGX

RLBGX Risk / Return Rank: 83
RLBGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
RLBGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
RLBGX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
RLBGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
RLBGX Martin Ratio Rank: 85

VWENX

VWENX Risk / Return Rank: 67
VWENX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VWENX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VWENX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VWENX Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VWENX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

RLBGX vs. VWENX - 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 Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX). 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.

	RLBGX	VWENX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.86	2.43	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.01	3.42	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.45	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	3.02	+0.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.12	13.99	+2.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RLBGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.86, which is comparable to the VWENX Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RLBGX and VWENX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RLBGX	VWENX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.86	2.43	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94	0.79	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.89	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	0.68	+0.30

Drawdowns

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RLBGX drawdown since its inception was -22.33%, smaller than the maximum VWENX drawdown of -36.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RLBGX and VWENX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RLBGX	VWENX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.33%	-36.02%	+13.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.98%	-6.77%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.65%	-11.98%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.59%	-20.84%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.33%	-25.33%	+3.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-0.67%	+0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-4.36%	+1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.54%	1.46%	+0.08%

Volatility

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6 (RLBGX) and Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares (VWENX) have volatilities of 2.70% and 2.61%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RLBGX	VWENX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	2.61%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.80%	6.68%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.71%	8.42%	+0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.49%	11.14%	-0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.67%	11.53%	-0.86%

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RLBGX has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VWENX's 0.16% 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

RLBGX vs. VWENX - Dividend Comparison

RLBGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.85%, less than VWENX's 10.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RLBGX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class R-6	7.85%	8.56%	7.50%	2.27%	2.63%	4.59%	4.65%	3.78%	5.81%	4.92%	4.54%	5.91%
VWENX Vanguard Wellington Fund Admiral Shares	10.91%	11.55%	10.85%	6.08%	8.28%	8.72%	7.85%	4.74%	9.58%	5.88%	4.53%	6.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RLBGX and VWENX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, RLBGX and VWENX 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 VWENX?

RLBGX has higher volatility (2.70%) compared to VWENX (2.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RLBGX dropped -22.33% vs VWENX's -36.02%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RLBGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.86 vs 2.43), 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.