AMECX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - AMECX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by American Funds, while AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, AMECX returned 8.59%/yr vs 13.01%/yr for AWSHX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AMECX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AMECX having a 5.72% return and AWSHX slightly lower at 5.48%. Over the past 10 years, AMECX has underperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 8.59%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 13.01% annualized return.

AMECX

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -0.80%
• YTD: 5.72%
• 6M: 5.47%
• 1Y: 14.23%
• 3Y*: 13.49%
• 5Y*: 7.94%
• 10Y*: 8.59%

AWSHX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 4.74%
• 1Y: 16.42%
• 3Y*: 17.88%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 13.01%

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

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	5.72%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.48%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between AMECX and AWSHX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1980	0.89

The correlation between AMECX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMECX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 48
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 38
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	AMECX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	1.65	+0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.76	2.36	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.30	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.37	2.08	+0.29
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.72	8.95	-0.24

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMECX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMECX 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

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMECX drawdown since its inception was -41.92%, smaller than the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMECX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMECX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.92%	-53.95%	+12.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.13%	-8.37%	+2.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.58%	-14.66%	+6.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.78%	-18.64%	+2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.13%	-34.65%	+8.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.81%	-1.01%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.45%	-6.41%	+1.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.66%	1.94%	-0.28%

Volatility

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) is 2.26%, while American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) has a volatility of 2.90%. This indicates that AMECX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AWSHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMECX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.26%	2.90%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.83%	8.04%	-2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.42%	10.55%	-3.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.46%	14.10%	-4.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.69%	16.34%	-5.65%

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMECX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is lower than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMECX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

AMECX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.52%, less than AWSHX's 9.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.52%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.81%	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 AMECX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

AMECX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMECX or AWSHX?

AWSHX has higher volatility (2.90%) compared to AMECX (2.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMECX dropped -41.92% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMECX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 vs 1.65), 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.