WBALX vs. VWIAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

WBALX (Weitz Balanced Fund) and VWIAX (Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, WBALX returned 5.63%/yr vs 5.88%/yr for VWIAX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WBALX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for VWIAX.

Performance

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) and Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VWIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WBALX achieves a -1.10% return, which is significantly lower than VWIAX's 3.19% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with WBALX having a 5.63% annualized return and VWIAX not far ahead at 5.88%.

WBALX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: -1.10%
• 6M: -1.46%
• 1Y: 2.01%
• 3Y*: 4.58%
• 5Y*: 2.65%
• 10Y*: 5.63%

VWIAX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 3.19%
• 6M: 3.02%
• 1Y: 9.79%
• 3Y*: 8.73%
• 5Y*: 4.22%
• 10Y*: 5.88%

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

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WBALX Weitz Balanced Fund	-1.10%	3.77%	6.85%	9.27%	-9.95%	13.11%	8.13%	17.94%	-1.79%	11.16%
VWIAX Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares	3.19%	11.08%	5.92%	7.07%	-9.04%	8.55%	8.52%	16.47%	-2.49%	9.37%

Correlation

The correlation between WBALX and VWIAX is 0.75, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2003	0.73

The correlation between WBALX and VWIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WBALX vs. VWIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

WBALX

WBALX Risk / Return Rank: 6
WBALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
WBALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
WBALX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
WBALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
WBALX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

VWIAX

VWIAX Risk / Return Rank: 49
VWIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
VWIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VWIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
VWIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
VWIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) and Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VWIAX). 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.

	WBALX	VWIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	1.96	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	2.83	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.35	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.43	2.47	-2.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.26	9.28	-8.02

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WBALX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the VWIAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WBALX and VWIAX, 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

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WBALX drawdown since its inception was -43.04%, which is greater than VWIAX's maximum drawdown of -21.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WBALX and VWIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WBALX	VWIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.04%	-21.64%	-21.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.02%	-4.15%	-1.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.82%	-6.96%	+0.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.81%	-15.26%	+0.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.93%	-17.41%	+1.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.80%	-0.57%	-2.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-2.21%	-1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.10%	+0.94%

Volatility

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Volatility Comparison

Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) has a higher volatility of 2.13% compared to Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares (VWIAX) at 1.61%. This indicates that WBALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WBALX	VWIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	1.61%	+0.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.89%	3.95%	+0.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.17%	5.24%	+0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.38%	6.99%	+0.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.71%	6.94%	+0.77%

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WBALX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than VWIAX's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

WBALX vs. VWIAX - Dividend Comparison

WBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.66%, less than VWIAX's 7.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VWIAX Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Admiral Shares	7.87%	7.93%	6.69%	4.80%	7.75%	6.11%	4.37%	4.00%	7.64%	3.25%	4.07%	5.66%
WBALX Weitz Balanced Fund	6.66%	4.95%	4.98%	1.11%	1.95%	2.57%	1.08%	1.88%	9.78%	2.72%	3.26%	5.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WBALX and VWIAX in my portfolio?

WBALX and VWIAX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WBALX or VWIAX?

WBALX has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to VWIAX (1.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WBALX dropped -43.04% vs VWIAX's -21.64%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 0.42), 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.