AFIFX vs. PAGDX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AFIFX (American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1) and PAGDX (Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AFIFX returned 14.73%/yr vs 19.34%/yr for PAGDX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AFIFX charges 0.64%/yr vs 1.46%/yr for PAGDX.

Performance

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) and Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX). 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 lower than PAGDX's 16.21% return.

AFIFX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 6.09%
• YTD: 15.10%
• 6M: 16.35%
• 1Y: 35.25%
• 3Y*: 26.02%
• 5Y*: 14.73%
• 10Y*: 14.83%

PAGDX

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: 8.41%
• YTD: 16.21%
• 6M: 20.74%
• 1Y: 44.91%
• 3Y*: 40.60%
• 5Y*: 19.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - 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%	21.85%
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	16.21%	36.58%	44.15%	38.39%	-26.25%	24.53%	37.32%	40.01%	-12.62%	19.29%

Correlation

The correlation between AFIFX and PAGDX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.89

The correlation between AFIFX and PAGDX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AFIFX vs. PAGDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFIFX

AFIFX Risk / Return Rank: 77
AFIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
AFIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
AFIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
AFIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
AFIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

PAGDX

PAGDX Risk / Return Rank: 82
PAGDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PAGDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
PAGDX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
PAGDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
PAGDX Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. PAGDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) and Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX). 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	PAGDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.70	-0.06
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.54	3.55	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.46	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	5.11	-1.71
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.75	21.83	-6.08
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. PAGDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the PAGDX Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFIFX and PAGDX, 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	PAGDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.64	2.70	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.79	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.83	-0.24

Drawdowns

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFIFX drawdown since its inception was -53.25%, which is greater than PAGDX's maximum drawdown of -38.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFIFX and PAGDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFIFX	PAGDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.25%	-38.03%	-15.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.67%	-9.16%	-1.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-26.37%	+8.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.11%	-36.66%	+11.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.37%	-7.36%	-0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	2.14%	+0.16%

Volatility

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Fundamental Investors Class F-1 (AFIFX) is 3.68%, while Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A (PAGDX) has a volatility of 4.68%. This indicates that AFIFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PAGDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFIFX	PAGDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.68%	4.68%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	12.97%	-2.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.77%	17.21%	-3.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.79%	24.45%	-7.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.73%	24.97%	-7.24%

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFIFX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than PAGDX's 1.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFIFX vs. PAGDX - Dividend Comparison

AFIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.38%, more than PAGDX's 0.03% 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%
PAGDX Permanent Portfolio Aggressive Growth Fund Class A	0.03%	0.03%	5.48%	2.59%	7.53%	6.80%	14.94%	16.97%	12.25%	8.50%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFIFX and PAGDX in my portfolio?

AFIFX and PAGDX have a correlation of 0.82, 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 PAGDX?

PAGDX has higher volatility (4.68%) compared to AFIFX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFIFX dropped -53.25% vs PAGDX's -38.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAGDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.64), 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.