AGTHX vs. VBIL

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

AGTHX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A) and VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) are both funds - AGTHX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group, while VBIL is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index. AGTHX is actively managed, while VBIL is passively managed. Over the past year, AGTHX returned 21.49% vs 3.93% for VBIL. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AGTHX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIL.

Performance

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A (AGTHX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGTHX achieves a 6.60% return, which is significantly higher than VBIL's 1.62% return.

AGTHX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 6.60%
• 6M: 7.72%
• 1Y: 21.49%
• 3Y*: 22.87%
• 5Y*: 11.31%
• 10Y*: 15.79%

VBIL

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 1.80%
• 1Y: 3.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
AGTHX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A	6.60%	12.77%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	1.62%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between AGTHX and VBIL is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	0.01

Return for Risk

AGTHX vs. VBIL — Risk / Return Rank

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

AGTHX

AGTHX Risk / Return Rank: 24
AGTHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
AGTHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
AGTHX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
AGTHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
AGTHX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

VBIL

VBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
VBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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.

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A (AGTHX) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). 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.

	AGTHX	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	15.06	-13.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	39.04	-37.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	21.06	-19.83
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	42.54	-41.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.60	531.57	-525.97

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGTHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the VBIL Sharpe Ratio of 15.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGTHX and VBIL, 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

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGTHX drawdown since its inception was -51.91%, which is greater than VBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGTHX and VBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGTHX	VBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.91%	-0.09%	-51.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.76%	-0.09%	-13.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.57%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.38%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.49%	0.00%	-3.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.19%	-0.00%	-9.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	0.01%	+3.58%

Volatility

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A (AGTHX) has a higher volatility of 6.25% compared to Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) at 0.05%. This indicates that AGTHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGTHX	VBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.25%	0.05%	+6.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.77%	0.16%	+12.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.00%	0.26%	+15.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.37%	0.30%	+20.07%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.75%	0.30%	+19.45%

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGTHX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIL's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGTHX vs. VBIL - Dividend Comparison

AGTHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.03%, more than VBIL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGTHX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A	10.03%	10.69%	8.99%	7.40%	4.05%	8.18%	4.30%	7.15%	11.99%	7.03%	6.61%	8.87%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	3.65%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGTHX and VBIL in my portfolio?

AGTHX and VBIL have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGTHX or VBIL?

AGTHX has higher volatility (6.25%) compared to VBIL (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGTHX dropped -51.91% vs VBIL's -0.09%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (15.06 vs 1.26), 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.