AWSHX vs. AFTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) and AFTEX (American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Funds, while AFTEX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX returned 12.84%/yr vs 2.18%/yr for AFTEX. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AWSHX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AFTEX.

Performance

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWSHX achieves a 5.89% return, which is significantly higher than AFTEX's 1.58% return. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX has outperformed AFTEX with an annualized return of 12.84%, while AFTEX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.18% annualized return.

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 5.89%
• 6M: 6.02%
• 1Y: 17.56%
• 3Y*: 18.25%
• 5Y*: 11.92%
• 10Y*: 12.84%

AFTEX

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: 0.74%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 7.03%
• 3Y*: 4.16%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 2.18%

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

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.89%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	1.58%	4.88%	2.28%	5.96%	-9.68%	1.87%	4.73%	7.42%	0.78%	5.83%

Correlation

The correlation between AWSHX and AFTEX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.15
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.01
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 1990	0.02

The correlation between AWSHX and AFTEX shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (10 years) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AWSHX vs. AFTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 38
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

AFTEX

AFTEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
AFTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AFTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
AFTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
AFTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
AFTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) and American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX). 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.

	AWSHX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.68	-0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	4.22	-1.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.66	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	2.56	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.46	8.94	+0.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWSHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is lower than the AFTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWSHX and AFTEX, 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

	AWSHX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.78	2.68	-0.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85	0.25	+0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.58	+0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	1.43	-0.80

Drawdowns

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWSHX drawdown since its inception was -53.95%, which is greater than AFTEX's maximum drawdown of -14.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWSHX and AFTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWSHX	AFTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.95%	-14.55%	-39.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-2.76%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-5.21%	-9.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.64%	-14.55%	-4.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.65%	-14.55%	-20.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-1.66%	-4.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	0.79%	+1.14%

Volatility

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) has a higher volatility of 2.41% compared to American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX) at 1.07%. This indicates that AWSHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWSHX	AFTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.41%	1.07%	+1.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	2.01%	+5.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.31%	2.65%	+7.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.10%	3.76%	+10.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.33%	3.79%	+12.54%

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWSHX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than AFTEX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWSHX vs. AFTEX - Dividend Comparison

AWSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.55%, more than AFTEX's 3.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	3.01%	3.98%	2.90%	2.22%	1.75%	2.31%	2.43%	2.83%	2.86%	3.30%	2.90%	3.21%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.55%	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 AWSHX and AFTEX in my portfolio?

AWSHX and AFTEX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWSHX or AFTEX?

AWSHX has higher volatility (2.41%) compared to AFTEX (1.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWSHX dropped -53.95% vs AFTEX's -14.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.68 vs 1.78), 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.