AMBFX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

AMBFX (American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - AMBFX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AMBFX returned 10.07%/yr vs 12.84%/yr for AWSHX. Their 0.96 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. AMBFX charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMBFX achieves a 8.35% return, which is significantly lower than AWSHX's 9.02% return. Over the past 10 years, AMBFX has underperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 10.07%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.84% annualized return.

AMBFX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: -0.96%
• 6M: 5.56%
• YTD: 8.35%
• 1Y: 18.59%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: 9.23%
• 10Y*: 10.07%
• ALL TIME*: 9.32%

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 1.03%
• 6M: 7.13%
• YTD: 9.02%
• 1Y: 17.38%
• 3Y*: 17.11%
• 5Y*: 12.39%
• 10Y*: 12.84%
• ALL TIME*: 10.17%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	8.35%	18.67%	15.25%	13.81%	-11.93%	16.00%	11.06%	19.45%	-2.69%	14.85%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.02%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between AMBFX and AWSHX is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2008	0.96

The correlation between AMBFX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMBFX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

AMBFX

AMBFX Risk / Return Rank: 80
AMBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
AMBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
AMBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AMBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
AMBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 60
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). 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.

	AMBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	1.46	+0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.61	2.09	+0.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.26	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	1.83	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.68	7.93	+2.75

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMBFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMBFX and AWSHX, 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

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMBFX drawdown since its inception was -35.05%, smaller than the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMBFX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.05%	-53.95%	+18.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.00%	-8.37%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.64%	-14.66%	+4.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.65%	-18.64%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.31%	-34.65%	+12.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.68%	-0.51%	-1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.56%	-6.39%	+2.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.93%	-0.30%

Volatility

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2 (AMBFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) have volatilities of 2.32% and 2.39%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	2.39%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.38%	7.81%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.41%	10.52%	-1.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.60%	14.06%	-3.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.70%	16.28%	-5.58%

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMBFX has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMBFX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

AMBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.39%, less than AWSHX's 9.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMBFX American Funds American Balanced Fund® Class F-2	7.39%	8.47%	7.40%	2.20%	2.52%	4.50%	4.56%	4.19%	6.20%	4.85%	4.46%	5.81%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.49%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMBFX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

AMBFX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMBFX or AWSHX?

AWSHX has higher volatility (2.39%) compared to AMBFX (2.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMBFX dropped -35.05% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 vs 1.46), 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.