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AMUSX vs. DFFGX
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

Performance

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund (AMUSX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AMUSX
American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund
-0.80%7.55%0.63%2.79%-11.50%-0.84%9.44%5.03%0.64%1.54%
DFFGX
DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio
0.87%3.12%5.29%5.01%-4.41%-1.27%0.39%2.52%1.17%0.51%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMUSX achieves a -0.80% return, which is significantly lower than DFFGX's 0.87% return. Over the past 10 years, AMUSX has underperformed DFFGX with an annualized return of 1.11%, while DFFGX has yielded a comparatively higher 1.18% annualized return.


AMUSX

1D
0.59%
1M
-2.29%
YTD
-0.80%
6M
0.26%
1Y
3.32%
3Y*
2.41%
5Y*
-0.07%
10Y*
1.11%

DFFGX

1D
0.06%
1M
0.26%
YTD
0.87%
6M
1.92%
1Y
2.99%
3Y*
4.36%
5Y*
1.83%
10Y*
1.18%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AMUSX has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than DFFGX's 0.18% expense ratio.


Return for Risk

AMUSX vs. DFFGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AMUSX
AMUSX Risk / Return Rank: 4444
Overall Rank
AMUSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AMUSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
AMUSX Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
AMUSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6767
Calmar Ratio Rank
AMUSX Martin Ratio Rank: 4343
Martin Ratio Rank

DFFGX
DFFGX Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
DFFGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DFFGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
DFFGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9999
Omega Ratio Rank
DFFGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9494
Calmar Ratio Rank
DFFGX Martin Ratio Rank: 8686
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund (AMUSX) and DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX). 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.


AMUSXDFFGXDifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.83

1.55

-0.71

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.25

1.70

-0.46

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

2.20

-1.05

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.52

3.09

-1.57

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

4.40

9.14

-4.74

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMUSX Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the DFFGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMUSX and DFFGX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


AMUSXDFFGXDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.83

1.55

-0.71

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.01

0.99

-1.00

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.23

0.76

-0.53

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.83

0.49

+0.34

Correlation

The correlation between AMUSX and DFFGX is 0.61, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.


Dividends

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Dividend Comparison

AMUSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, more than DFFGX's 2.86% yield.


TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AMUSX
American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund
3.63%3.97%4.19%3.44%2.01%1.05%4.92%2.79%1.72%1.32%2.30%2.84%
DFFGX
DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio
2.86%2.98%4.87%3.57%1.85%0.15%0.29%1.83%1.53%1.18%0.99%1.27%

Drawdowns

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMUSX drawdown since its inception was -17.48%, which is greater than DFFGX's maximum drawdown of -10.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMUSX and DFFGX.


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Drawdown Indicators


AMUSXDFFGXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.48%

-10.09%

-7.39%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.94%

-1.00%

-1.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.84%

-6.49%

-10.35%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-17.48%

-6.49%

-10.99%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.68%

0.00%

-3.68%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.75%

-0.86%

-1.89%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.02%

0.34%

+0.68%

Volatility

AMUSX vs. DFFGX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds U.S. Government Securities Fund (AMUSX) has a higher volatility of 1.60% compared to DFA Short-Term Government Portfolio (DFFGX) at 0.15%. This indicates that AMUSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DFFGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


AMUSXDFFGXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.60%

0.15%

+1.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.49%

0.40%

+2.09%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.57%

1.43%

+3.14%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.01%

1.85%

+4.16%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.83%

1.57%

+3.26%