WBALX vs. WEFIX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

WBALX (Weitz Balanced Fund) and WEFIX (Weitz Short Duration Income Fund) are both mutual funds - WBALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Weitz, while WEFIX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by Weitz. Over the past 10 years, WBALX returned 5.63%/yr vs 2.74%/yr for WEFIX. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. WBALX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for WEFIX.

Performance

WBALX vs. WEFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) and Weitz Short Duration Income Fund (WEFIX). 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 WEFIX's 1.03% return. Over the past 10 years, WBALX has outperformed WEFIX with an annualized return of 5.63%, while WEFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.74% annualized return.

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%

WEFIX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.29%
• YTD: 1.03%
• 6M: 1.42%
• 1Y: 4.11%
• 3Y*: 5.45%
• 5Y*: 3.11%
• 10Y*: 2.74%

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

WBALX vs. WEFIX - 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%
WEFIX Weitz Short Duration Income Fund	1.03%	5.64%	6.12%	5.90%	-2.72%	1.04%	3.34%	4.23%	1.34%	1.54%

Correlation

The correlation between WBALX and WEFIX is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2003	0.08

Over the past year, WBALX and WEFIX have become more correlated (0.39) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

WBALX vs. WEFIX — 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

WEFIX

WEFIX Risk / Return Rank: 91
WEFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
WEFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
WEFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
WEFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
WEFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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. WEFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) and Weitz Short Duration Income Fund (WEFIX). 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	WEFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.42	2.37	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.66	5.14	-4.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.66	-0.59
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.43	4.68	-4.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.26	21.16	-19.90

WBALX vs. WEFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WBALX Sharpe Ratio is 0.42, which is lower than the WEFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WBALX and WEFIX, 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. WEFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WBALX drawdown since its inception was -43.04%, which is greater than WEFIX's maximum drawdown of -5.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WBALX and WEFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	WBALX	WEFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.04%	-5.98%	-37.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.02%	-0.91%	-5.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.82%	-0.91%	-5.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.81%	-4.75%	-10.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.93%	-5.98%	-9.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.80%	-0.33%	-2.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-0.60%	-3.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	0.20%	+1.84%

Volatility

WBALX vs. WEFIX - Volatility Comparison

Weitz Balanced Fund (WBALX) has a higher volatility of 2.13% compared to Weitz Short Duration Income Fund (WEFIX) at 0.62%. This indicates that WBALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WEFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WBALX	WEFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	0.62%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.89%	1.37%	+3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.17%	1.80%	+4.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.38%	1.91%	+5.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.71%	1.70%	+6.01%

WBALX vs. WEFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

WBALX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than WEFIX's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

WBALX vs. WEFIX - Dividend Comparison

WBALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.66%, more than WEFIX's 4.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
WEFIX Weitz Short Duration Income Fund	4.55%	4.55%	5.07%	3.73%	2.54%	1.87%	2.54%	2.49%	2.41%	2.11%	2.43%	2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WBALX and WEFIX in my portfolio?

WBALX and WEFIX have a correlation of 0.39, 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 WEFIX?

WBALX has higher volatility (2.13%) compared to WEFIX (0.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WBALX dropped -43.04% vs WEFIX's -5.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WEFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 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.