- CUSIP
- 399874 30 4
- Issuer
- American Funds
- Inception Date
- Mar 15, 2001
- Category
- Large Cap Growth Equities
- Min. Investment
- $250
- Index Tracked
- S&P 500
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Equity
- Asset Class Size
- Large-Cap
- Asset Class Style
- Growth
Share Price Chart
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Performance
GFACX Performance Chart
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) is up 8.9% since the beginning of the year. GFACX is currently trading at $73 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of GFACX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,694.
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Returns By Period
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) has returned 8.92% so far this year and 23.69% over the past 12 months. Looking at the last ten years, GFACX has achieved an annualized return of 15.13%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% per year.
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C
- 1D
- 1.78%
- 1M
- 2.43%
- YTD
- 8.92%
- 6M
- 8.27%
- 1Y
- 23.69%
- 3Y*
- 22.68%
- 5Y*
- 11.12%
- 10Y*
- 15.13%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
GFACX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Jan 2, 2002, GFACX's average daily return is +0.04%, while the average monthly return is +0.88%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 6.6 years.
Historically, 62% of months were positive and 38% were negative. The best month was Apr 2020 with a return of +14.2%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -17.6%. The longest winning streak lasted 7 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 6 months.
On a daily basis, GFACX closed higher 54% of trading days. The best single day was Dec 18, 2014 with a return of +13.9%, while the worst single day was Mar 16, 2020 at -11.5%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.53% | -2.38% | -6.50% | 11.32% | 7.37% | -0.70% | 8.92% | ||||||
| 2025 | 5.10% | -3.82% | -7.59% | 1.78% | 8.28% | 6.84% | 1.91% | 1.67% | 2.92% | 2.42% | -0.94% | -0.16% | 18.80% |
| 2024 | 1.67% | 7.22% | 3.04% | -4.42% | 4.00% | 4.22% | -0.13% | 2.16% | 2.96% | -0.49% | 6.65% | -2.09% | 27.01% |
| 2023 | 9.75% | -2.05% | 3.24% | 0.64% | 2.63% | 6.92% | 4.10% | -1.83% | -4.69% | -3.17% | 10.82% | 6.32% | 36.20% |
| 2022 | -10.05% | -3.70% | 2.90% | -12.08% | -2.14% | -9.50% | 10.12% | -3.47% | -8.64% | 4.49% | 4.47% | -6.61% | -31.28% |
| 2021 | -0.08% | 1.54% | 0.81% | 5.40% | -0.74% | 3.32% | 0.93% | 3.52% | -3.55% | 8.60% | -2.88% | 0.76% | 18.41% |
Benchmark Metrics
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C has an annualized alpha of 2.17%, beta of 0.95, and R2 of 0.89 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since January 02, 2002.
- This fund captured 107.12% of S&P 500 Index gains but only 98.82% of its losses - a favorable profile for investors.
- This fund generated an annualized alpha of 2.17% versus S&P 500 Index - delivering returns beyond what market exposure alone would predict.
- With beta of 0.95 and R2 of 0.89, this fund moves broadly in line with S&P 500 Index - much of its variation is explained by market exposure rather than independent behavior.
- Alpha
- 2.17%
- Beta
- 0.95
- R²
- 0.89
- Upside Capture
- 107.12%
- Downside Capture
- 98.82%
Expense Ratio
GFACX has a high expense ratio of 1.35%, indicating above-average management fees.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
GFACX ranks 27 for risk / return — below 27% of mutual funds on our site. The returns aren't fully compensating for the risk involved. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, but factor it into your decision — especially if you're risk-averse.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
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.
| GFACX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.37 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.68 | 2.78 | -1.11 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.38 | 12.44 | -6.06 |
Dividends
Dividend History
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C provided a 11.41% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $8.36 per share. The fund has been increasing its distributions for 3 consecutive years.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $8.36 | $8.36 | $6.38 | $4.30 | $1.84 | $6.01 | $2.74 | $3.28 | $4.82 | $3.23 | $2.53 | $3.39 |
Dividend yield | 11.41% | 12.43% | 10.01% | 7.82% | 4.22% | 9.11% | 4.48% | 7.03% | 12.28% | 7.04% | 6.43% | 8.73% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $8.36 | $8.36 |
| 2024 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $6.38 | $6.38 |
| 2023 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $4.30 | $4.30 |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1.84 | $1.84 |
| 2021 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $6.01 | $6.01 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C was 52.39%, occurring on Mar 9, 2009. Recovery took 974 trading sessions.
The current American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C drawdown is 1.08%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -52.39%Mar 2009 | 1y 4mo | 3y 10mo | 5y 2moNov 2007 - Jan 2013 |
Bear market2022 | -36.81%Oct 2022 | 11mo 1d | 1y 5mo | 2y 4moNov 2021 - Mar 2024 |
Dot-com crash2000–2002 | -32.61%Oct 2002 | 9mo 5d | 1y 2mo | 1y 11moJan 2002 - Dec 2003 |
COVID crash2020 | -30.41%Mar 2020 | 1mo 2d | 3mo 11d | 4mo 13dFeb 2020 - Jul 2020 |
2025 selloff2025 | -21.66%Apr 2025 | 1mo 19d | 2mo 17d | 4mo 6dFeb 2025 - Jun 2025 |
Drawdown Indicators
| GFACX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -52.39% | -56.78% | +4.39% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.90% | -9.10% | -4.80% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.66% | -18.90% | -2.76% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.81% | -25.43% | -11.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.81% | -33.92% | -2.89% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.08% | -1.80% | +0.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.14% | -10.71% | +1.57% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.65% | 2.03% | +1.62% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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