AMECX vs. FRIAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) and FRIAX (Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, AMECX returned 8.51%/yr vs 7.64%/yr for FRIAX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AMECX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for FRIAX.

Performance

AMECX vs. FRIAX - 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 Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMECX achieves a 6.34% return, which is significantly higher than FRIAX's 5.29% return. Over the past 10 years, AMECX has outperformed FRIAX with an annualized return of 8.51%, while FRIAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.64% annualized return.

AMECX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 6.34%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 15.78%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

FRIAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 5.29%
• 6M: 5.72%
• 1Y: 14.62%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 6.39%
• 10Y*: 7.64%

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

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	6.34%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.29%	12.02%	7.29%	8.84%	-5.36%	17.51%	3.72%	16.02%	-5.23%	8.63%

Correlation

The correlation between AMECX and FRIAX is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1997	0.78

The correlation between AMECX and FRIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMECX vs. FRIAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 53
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

FRIAX

FRIAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
FRIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FRIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
FRIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
FRIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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. FRIAX - 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 Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX). 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.

	AMECX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	3.01	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.16	4.68	-1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.68	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	4.95	-2.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.88	18.94	-9.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMECX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the FRIAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMECX and FRIAX, 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

	AMECX	FRIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	3.01	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.81	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.82	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.80	-0.08

Drawdowns

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMECX drawdown since its inception was -41.92%, roughly equal to the maximum FRIAX drawdown of -43.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMECX and FRIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMECX	FRIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.92%	-43.23%	+1.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.13%	-3.06%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.58%	-7.35%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.78%	-13.63%	-2.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.13%	-24.10%	-2.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.23%	-0.33%	-0.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.45%	-3.92%	-0.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	0.80%	+0.82%

Volatility

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) has a higher volatility of 2.06% compared to Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class (FRIAX) at 1.19%. This indicates that AMECX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRIAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMECX	FRIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.06%	1.19%	+0.87%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.63%	3.80%	+1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.17%	5.04%	+2.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.45%	7.98%	+1.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.68%	9.30%	+1.38%

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMECX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than FRIAX's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMECX vs. FRIAX - Dividend Comparison

AMECX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.41%, more than FRIAX's 5.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.41%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
FRIAX Franklin Income Fund Advisor Class	5.71%	5.75%	5.74%	5.67%	5.24%	6.70%	5.37%	5.25%	5.80%	5.20%	4.92%	5.93%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMECX and FRIAX in my portfolio?

AMECX and FRIAX have a correlation of 0.72, 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 FRIAX?

AMECX has higher volatility (2.06%) compared to FRIAX (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMECX dropped -41.92% vs FRIAX's -43.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FRIAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.24), 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.