TAFTX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TAFTX (American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - TAFTX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, TAFTX returned 2.07%/yr vs 10.10%/yr for ABALX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TAFTX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California (TAFTX) 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, TAFTX achieves a 1.40% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 9.71% return. Over the past 10 years, TAFTX has underperformed ABALX with an annualized return of 2.07%, while ABALX has yielded a comparatively higher 10.10% annualized return.

TAFTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.56%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.73%
• 1Y: 7.14%
• 3Y*: 4.09%
• 5Y*: 0.84%
• 10Y*: 2.07%

ABALX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 9.71%
• 6M: 10.64%
• 1Y: 25.20%
• 3Y*: 17.33%
• 5Y*: 9.57%
• 10Y*: 10.10%

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

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TAFTX American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California	1.40%	4.73%	2.31%	5.76%	-9.78%	1.88%	4.43%	7.33%	0.71%	5.96%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	9.71%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	14.69%

Correlation

The correlation between TAFTX and ABALX is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.09
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 1986	0.08

The correlation between TAFTX and ABALX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (all time) to 0.25 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

TAFTX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAFTX

TAFTX Risk / Return Rank: 61
TAFTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
TAFTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
TAFTX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
TAFTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TAFTX Martin Ratio Rank: 36

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 85
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
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.

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California (TAFTX) 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.

	TAFTX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.96	-0.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	4.13	-0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.56	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	3.67	-1.36
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.13	16.58	-8.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAFTX Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAFTX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TAFTX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.96	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21	0.92	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.95	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.28	0.81	+0.47

Drawdowns

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAFTX drawdown since its inception was -18.83%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAFTX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAFTX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.83%	-40.20%	+21.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.05%	-7.03%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.66%	-10.68%	+5.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.82%	-18.76%	+3.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.82%	-22.34%	+7.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.63%	0.00%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.94%	-3.85%	+1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	1.55%	-0.69%

Volatility

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California (TAFTX) is 1.14%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a volatility of 2.65%. This indicates that TAFTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAFTX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.14%	2.65%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.16%	6.87%	-4.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.85%	8.73%	-5.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.05%	10.49%	-6.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.92%	10.67%	-6.75%

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TAFTX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

TAFTX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

TAFTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, less than ABALX's 7.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.56%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%
TAFTX American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of California	3.04%	3.96%	2.64%	2.19%	1.82%	2.19%	2.65%	3.15%	2.93%	2.95%	3.13%	3.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAFTX and ABALX in my portfolio?

TAFTX and ABALX have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAFTX or ABALX?

ABALX has higher volatility (2.65%) compared to TAFTX (1.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAFTX dropped -18.83% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 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.