RPBAX vs. VGSTX
RPBAX (T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund) and VGSTX (Vanguard STAR Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RPBAX returned 8.54%/yr vs 9.31%/yr for VGSTX. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. RPBAX charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for VGSTX.
Performance
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with RPBAX having a 6.07% return and VGSTX slightly lower at 6.00%. Over the past 10 years, RPBAX has underperformed VGSTX with an annualized return of 8.54%, while VGSTX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.31% annualized return.
RPBAX
- 1D
- 1.19%
- 1M
- -0.13%
- 6M
- 3.87%
- YTD
- 6.07%
- 1Y
- 14.25%
- 3Y*
- 12.72%
- 5Y*
- 6.69%
- 10Y*
- 8.54%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.79%
VGSTX
- 1D
- 1.02%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- 4.18%
- YTD
- 6.00%
- 1Y
- 14.88%
- 3Y*
- 12.97%
- 5Y*
- 6.22%
- 10Y*
- 9.31%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.80%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RPBAX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund | 6.07% | 16.06% | 11.71% | 18.01% | -17.28% | 13.29% | 14.54% | 20.75% | -4.89% | 12.58% |
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund | 6.00% | 15.88% | 13.69% | 17.14% | -18.05% | 9.65% | 21.45% | 22.21% | -5.33% | 16.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between RPBAX and VGSTX is 0.94, 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. | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.96 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1990 | 0.93 |
The correlation between RPBAX and VGSTX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
RPBAX vs. VGSTX — Risk / Return Rank
RPBAX
VGSTX
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund (RPBAX) and Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX). 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.
| RPBAX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.01 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.27 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.89 | 2.04 | -0.15 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.17 | 8.62 | -0.45 |
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Drawdowns
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RPBAX drawdown since its inception was -40.79%, which is greater than VGSTX's maximum drawdown of -38.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RPBAX and VGSTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RPBAX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -40.79% | -38.62% | -2.17% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.15% | -6.76% | -0.39% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.43% | -11.77% | +1.34% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.45% | -25.55% | +2.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -25.49% | -25.55% | +0.06% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.76% | -0.94% | +0.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.13% | -4.02% | -0.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.65% | 1.60% | +0.05% |
Volatility
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Volatility Comparison
T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund (RPBAX) has a higher volatility of 2.49% compared to Vanguard STAR Fund (VGSTX) at 2.35%. This indicates that RPBAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RPBAX | VGSTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.49% | 2.35% | +0.14% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 7.60% | 7.36% | +0.24% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 9.00% | 9.06% | -0.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.06% | 11.91% | -0.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.59% | 11.81% | -0.22% |
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RPBAX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSTX's 0.29% expense ratio.
Dividends
RPBAX vs. VGSTX - Dividend Comparison
RPBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.96%, less than VGSTX's 8.57% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RPBAX T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund | 6.96% | 7.30% | 7.28% | 3.80% | 5.03% | 9.33% | 4.59% | 3.41% | 8.42% | 1.69% | 2.96% | 7.32% |
VGSTX Vanguard STAR Fund | 8.57% | 9.13% | 10.67% | 5.35% | 8.34% | 6.70% | 6.68% | 6.07% | 6.90% | 3.32% | 4.77% | 5.62% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, RPBAX and VGSTX 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.
RPBAX has higher volatility (2.49%) compared to VGSTX (2.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RPBAX dropped -40.79% vs VGSTX's -38.62%.
VGSTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.52 vs 1.50), 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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