AEPGX vs. ETHSX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AEPGX (American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A) and ETHSX (Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund) are both mutual funds - AEPGX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by American Funds, while ETHSX is a Health & Biotech Equities fund managed by Eaton Vance. Over the past 10 years, AEPGX returned 8.78%/yr vs 7.46%/yr for ETHSX. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AEPGX charges 0.80%/yr vs 1.20%/yr for ETHSX.

Performance

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A (AEPGX) and Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AEPGX achieves a 9.44% return, which is significantly higher than ETHSX's -4.74% return. Over the past 10 years, AEPGX has outperformed ETHSX with an annualized return of 8.78%, while ETHSX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.46% annualized return.

AEPGX

• 1D: 3.37%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 24.88%
• 3Y*: 14.46%
• 5Y*: 3.35%
• 10Y*: 8.78%

ETHSX

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: -4.74%
• 6M: -3.58%
• 1Y: 4.68%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 3.18%
• 10Y*: 7.46%

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

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AEPGX American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A	9.44%	28.88%	2.63%	15.65%	-23.06%	-1.64%	24.80%	26.94%	-15.21%	30.74%
ETHSX Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund	-4.74%	10.23%	3.48%	5.67%	-9.41%	22.02%	13.04%	25.99%	5.87%	16.24%

Correlation

The correlation between AEPGX and ETHSX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1990	0.58

The correlation between AEPGX and ETHSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.60 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AEPGX vs. ETHSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AEPGX

AEPGX Risk / Return Rank: 39
AEPGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AEPGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
AEPGX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
AEPGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
AEPGX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

ETHSX

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

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.

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A (AEPGX) and Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX). 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.

	AEPGX	ETHSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	0.26	+1.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	0.51	+1.55
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.06	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	0.33	+1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.97	0.77	+6.20

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AEPGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the ETHSX Sharpe Ratio of 0.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AEPGX and ETHSX, 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

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AEPGX drawdown since its inception was -53.98%, smaller than the maximum ETHSX drawdown of -90.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AEPGX and ETHSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AEPGX	ETHSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.98%	-90.06%	+36.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.56%	-12.35%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.75%	-18.91%	+3.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.53%	-19.58%	-17.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.50%	-27.43%	-11.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.45%	-9.31%	+6.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.47%	-43.95%	+32.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.38%	5.27%	-1.89%

Volatility

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A (AEPGX) has a higher volatility of 7.19% compared to Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund (ETHSX) at 5.26%. This indicates that AEPGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ETHSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AEPGX	ETHSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.19%	5.26%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.17%	10.98%	+3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.43%	15.40%	+1.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.93%	14.98%	+1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.02%	16.27%	+0.75%

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AEPGX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than ETHSX's 1.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

AEPGX vs. ETHSX - Dividend Comparison

AEPGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.00%, more than ETHSX's 7.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AEPGX American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund Class A	10.00%	13.69%	4.56%	3.57%	1.72%	5.15%	0.17%	2.79%	6.33%	4.66%	1.24%	3.05%
ETHSX Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund	7.73%	7.36%	4.81%	2.48%	4.43%	8.25%	7.33%	5.39%	5.51%	2.82%	12.75%	9.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AEPGX and ETHSX in my portfolio?

AEPGX and ETHSX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AEPGX or ETHSX?

AEPGX has higher volatility (7.19%) compared to ETHSX (5.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AEPGX dropped -53.98% vs ETHSX's -90.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AEPGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.44 vs 0.26), 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.