AMPCX vs. SPYG

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AMPCX (American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C) and SPYG (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF) are both funds - AMPCX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Funds, while SPYG is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, AMPCX returned 11.76%/yr vs 18.20%/yr for SPYG. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AMPCX charges 1.40%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPYG.

Performance

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C (AMPCX) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMPCX achieves a 6.02% return, which is significantly lower than SPYG's 13.75% return. Over the past 10 years, AMPCX has underperformed SPYG with an annualized return of 11.76%, while SPYG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.20% annualized return.

AMPCX

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 3.76%
• YTD: 6.02%
• 6M: 5.58%
• 1Y: 20.92%
• 3Y*: 18.91%
• 5Y*: 9.13%
• 10Y*: 11.76%

SPYG

• 1D: -0.98%
• 1M: 7.38%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.57%
• 1Y: 33.95%
• 3Y*: 28.16%
• 5Y*: 16.07%
• 10Y*: 18.20%

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

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMPCX American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C	6.02%	16.78%	20.17%	30.08%	-29.17%	22.77%	20.52%	25.37%	-5.50%	21.11%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	13.75%	22.09%	35.99%	30.02%	-29.41%	32.01%	33.46%	30.84%	-0.12%	27.24%

Correlation

The correlation between AMPCX and SPYG is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2001	0.91

The correlation between AMPCX and SPYG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AMPCX vs. SPYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMPCX

AMPCX Risk / Return Rank: 25
AMPCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
AMPCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
AMPCX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
AMPCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
AMPCX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

SPYG

SPYG Risk / Return Rank: 57
SPYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
SPYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
SPYG Omega Ratio Rank: 59
SPYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
SPYG Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C (AMPCX) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG). 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.

	AMPCX	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	2.12	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	2.90	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.37	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	2.48	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.14	10.25	-4.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMPCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the SPYG Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMPCX and SPYG, 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

	AMPCX	SPYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	2.12	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.76	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.88	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.35	+0.08

Drawdowns

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMPCX drawdown since its inception was -53.38%, smaller than the maximum SPYG drawdown of -67.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMPCX and SPYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMPCX	SPYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.38%	-67.63%	+14.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.33%	-13.76%	-0.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.81%	-22.14%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.67%	-32.67%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.67%	-32.67%	-3.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.77%	-1.13%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.22%	-24.33%	+15.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.54%	3.32%	+0.22%

Volatility

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C (AMPCX) is 3.58%, while State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF (SPYG) has a volatility of 4.35%. This indicates that AMPCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMPCX	SPYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.58%	4.35%	-0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.41%	12.46%	-1.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.56%	16.06%	-1.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.25%	21.17%	-1.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.73%	20.64%	-1.91%

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMPCX has a 1.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMPCX vs. SPYG - Dividend Comparison

AMPCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.71%, more than SPYG's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMPCX American Funds AMCAP Fund Class C	10.71%	11.35%	9.83%	3.32%	9.21%	7.09%	4.32%	5.06%	8.25%	5.61%	3.77%	9.83%
SPYG State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF	0.47%	0.52%	0.60%	1.15%	1.03%	0.62%	0.90%	1.37%	1.51%	1.41%	1.55%	1.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMPCX and SPYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, AMPCX and SPYG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AMPCX or SPYG?

SPYG has higher volatility (4.35%) compared to AMPCX (3.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMPCX dropped -53.38% vs SPYG's -67.63%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.50), 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.