AMRGX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AMRGX (American Growth Fund Series One) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - AMRGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Growth, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, AMRGX returned 12.52%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AMRGX charges 4.07%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AMRGX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMRGX achieves a 20.12% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, AMRGX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.52%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% annualized return.

AMRGX

• 1D: 2.23%
• 1M: 4.70%
• YTD: 20.12%
• 6M: 18.73%
• 1Y: 40.28%
• 3Y*: 19.45%
• 5Y*: 11.19%
• 10Y*: 12.52%

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

AMRGX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	20.12%	11.18%	16.61%	24.38%	-19.93%	15.64%	18.65%	36.73%	-9.07%	13.37%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between AMRGX and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996	0.84

The correlation between AMRGX and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.76 (1 year) to 0.88 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AMRGX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMRGX

AMRGX Risk / Return Rank: 44
AMRGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
AMRGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
AMRGX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
AMRGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
AMRGX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

AMRGX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	AMRGX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.16	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.91	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.39	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	3.01	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.17	13.54	-6.36

AMRGX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMRGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMRGX and SPY, 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

AMRGX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMRGX drawdown since its inception was -80.32%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMRGX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMRGX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.32%	-55.19%	-25.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.98%	-8.88%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.15%	-18.76%	-2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.42%	-24.50%	-10.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.42%	-33.72%	-1.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.75%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-40.18%	-9.04%	-31.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.70%	1.97%	+3.73%

Volatility

AMRGX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) has a higher volatility of 8.21% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that AMRGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMRGX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.21%	4.64%	+3.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.95%	9.75%	+6.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.72%	12.43%	+15.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.42%	17.14%	+5.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.60%	17.99%	+3.61%

AMRGX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMRGX has a 4.07% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AMRGX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AMRGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.84%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	14.84%	17.82%	12.39%	8.17%	7.77%	12.21%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMRGX and SPY in my portfolio?

AMRGX and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMRGX or SPY?

AMRGX has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMRGX dropped -80.32% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.49), 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.