AFIFX vs. AMECX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFIFX (American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1) and AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) are both mutual funds - AFIFX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while AMECX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AFIFX returned 14.83%/yr vs 8.46%/yr for AMECX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFIFX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for AMECX.

Performance

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFIFX achieves a 15.10% return, which is significantly higher than AMECX's 5.84% return. Over the past 10 years, AFIFX has outperformed AMECX with an annualized return of 14.83%, while AMECX has yielded a comparatively lower 8.46% annualized return.

AFIFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 5.89%
• YTD: 15.10%
• 6M: 16.10%
• 1Y: 34.46%
• 3Y*: 26.02%
• 5Y*: 14.84%
• 10Y*: 14.83%

AMECX

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 5.84%
• 6M: 6.86%
• 1Y: 15.19%
• 3Y*: 13.58%
• 5Y*: 7.57%
• 10Y*: 8.46%

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

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFIFX American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1	15.10%	24.12%	22.68%	25.78%	-16.69%	22.36%	14.85%	27.00%	-8.19%	22.70%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	5.84%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%

Correlation

The correlation between AFIFX and AMECX is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.76
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2002	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between AFIFX and AMECX has dropped to 0.69 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

AFIFX vs. AMECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFIFX

AFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 74
AFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
AFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
AFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
AFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
AFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 48
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). 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.

	AFIFX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.58	2.13	+0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.01	+0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.39	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.32	2.50	+0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.36	9.38	+5.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.58, which is comparable to the AMECX Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFIFX and AMECX, 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

	AFIFX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.58	2.13	+0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89	0.81	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	0.79	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.72	-0.13

Drawdowns

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFIFX drawdown since its inception was -53.25%, which is greater than AMECX's maximum drawdown of -41.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFIFX and AMECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFIFX	AMECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.25%	-41.92%	-11.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-6.13%	-4.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-8.58%	-9.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.11%	-15.78%	-9.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.92%	-26.13%	-7.79%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.69%	+1.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-4.45%	-2.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	1.63%	+0.67%

Volatility

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) at 2.08%. This indicates that AFIFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AMECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFIFX	AMECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	2.08%	+1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.82%	5.62%	+5.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.74%	7.19%	+6.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	9.45%	+7.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	10.68%	+7.05%

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFIFX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than AMECX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFIFX vs. AMECX - Dividend Comparison

AFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.38%, less than AMECX's 9.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFIFX American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1	7.38%	8.48%	8.84%	5.76%	4.92%	10.91%	2.57%	6.86%	9.21%	7.21%	4.65%	6.01%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.46%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFIFX and AMECX in my portfolio?

AFIFX and AMECX have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFIFX or AMECX?

AFIFX has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to AMECX (2.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFIFX dropped -53.25% vs AMECX's -41.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.58 vs 2.13), 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.