VWELX vs. AMBFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VWELX (Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares) and AMBFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, VWELX returned 10.13%/yr vs 10.38%/yr for AMBFX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. VWELX charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for AMBFX.

Performance

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWELX achieves a 6.71% return, which is significantly lower than AMBFX's 9.50% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VWELX having a 10.13% annualized return and AMBFX not far ahead at 10.38%.

VWELX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 1.67%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 6.89%
• 1Y: 20.46%
• 3Y*: 15.54%
• 5Y*: 8.75%
• 10Y*: 10.13%

AMBFX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.57%
• YTD: 9.50%
• 6M: 10.16%
• 1Y: 24.29%
• 3Y*: 17.66%
• 5Y*: 9.70%
• 10Y*: 10.38%

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

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	6.71%	16.54%	14.73%	14.29%	-14.36%	18.99%	10.57%	22.51%	-3.43%	13.98%
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	9.50%	18.67%	15.25%	13.81%	-11.93%	16.00%	11.06%	19.45%	-2.69%	14.85%

Correlation

The correlation between VWELX and AMBFX 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 Aug 4, 2008	0.96

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

Return for Risk

VWELX vs. AMBFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWELX

VWELX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VWELX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VWELX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
VWELX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VWELX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VWELX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

AMBFX

AMBFX Risk / Return Rank: 83
AMBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
AMBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AMBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AMBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
AMBFX 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.

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX). 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.

	VWELX	AMBFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.78	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.41	3.90	-0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.53	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	3.47	-0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.90	15.69	-1.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWELX Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the AMBFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWELX and AMBFX, 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

	VWELX	AMBFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.78	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.93	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.98	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.77	+0.07

Drawdowns

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWELX drawdown since its inception was -36.12%, roughly equal to the maximum AMBFX drawdown of -35.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWELX and AMBFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWELX	AMBFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.12%	-35.05%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.78%	-7.00%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.98%	-10.64%	-1.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.88%	-18.65%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.33%	-22.31%	-3.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.38%	-0.51%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.92%	-3.58%	-0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.46%	1.54%	-0.08%

Volatility

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares (VWELX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) have volatilities of 2.59% and 2.69%, 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

	VWELX	AMBFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.59%	2.69%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.68%	6.83%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.41%	8.73%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.13%	10.50%	+0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.53%	10.67%	+0.86%

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWELX has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than AMBFX's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWELX vs. AMBFX - Dividend Comparison

VWELX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.80%, more than AMBFX's 7.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	7.76%	8.47%	7.40%	2.20%	2.52%	4.50%	4.56%	4.19%	6.20%	4.85%	4.46%	5.81%
VWELX Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares	10.80%	11.46%	10.76%	6.01%	8.19%	8.64%	7.77%	4.67%	9.49%	5.82%	4.44%	7.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWELX and AMBFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VWELX and AMBFX 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, VWELX or AMBFX?

AMBFX has higher volatility (2.69%) compared to VWELX (2.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWELX dropped -36.12% vs AMBFX's -35.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 2.42), 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.