AWSHX vs. CWGIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) and CWGIX (American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while CWGIX is a Global Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX returned 12.86%/yr vs 12.13%/yr for CWGIX. A 0.80 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AWSHX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for CWGIX.

Performance

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - 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 Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWSHX achieves a 5.96% return, which is significantly lower than CWGIX's 15.73% return. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX has outperformed CWGIX with an annualized return of 12.86%, while CWGIX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.13% annualized return.

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 5.96%
• 6M: 5.54%
• 1Y: 17.84%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: 12.86%

CWGIX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 2.85%
• YTD: 15.73%
• 6M: 16.07%
• 1Y: 32.99%
• 3Y*: 20.71%
• 5Y*: 11.55%
• 10Y*: 12.13%

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

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.96%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%
CWGIX American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A	15.73%	24.68%	13.85%	20.55%	-17.32%	14.74%	15.31%	25.32%	-10.60%	24.55%

Correlation

The correlation between AWSHX and CWGIX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1993	0.80

The correlation between AWSHX and CWGIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.80 (all time) to 0.90 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AWSHX vs. CWGIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 40
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

CWGIX

CWGIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
CWGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
CWGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
CWGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CWGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
CWGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. CWGIX - 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 Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX). 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.

	AWSHX	CWGIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.24	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.07	-0.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.41	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	3.10	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	13.25	-4.07

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWSHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the CWGIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWSHX and CWGIX, 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

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWSHX drawdown since its inception was -53.95%, roughly equal to the maximum CWGIX drawdown of -54.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWSHX and CWGIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWSHX	CWGIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.95%	-54.47%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-10.52%	+2.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-15.56%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.64%	-27.18%	+8.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.65%	-32.00%	-2.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.61%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-7.12%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	2.45%	-0.51%

Volatility

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) is 2.94%, while American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX) has a volatility of 6.13%. This indicates that AWSHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CWGIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWSHX	CWGIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	6.13%	-3.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.07%	12.27%	-4.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.52%	14.53%	-4.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	15.39%	-1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	16.12%	+0.22%

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWSHX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than CWGIX's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWSHX vs. CWGIX - Dividend Comparison

AWSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.77%, more than CWGIX's 9.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.77%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
CWGIX American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A	9.17%	10.54%	7.88%	3.20%	2.09%	6.82%	1.23%	2.44%	7.00%	6.63%	4.96%	3.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWSHX and CWGIX in my portfolio?

AWSHX and CWGIX have a correlation of 0.85, 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 CWGIX?

CWGIX has higher volatility (6.13%) compared to AWSHX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWSHX dropped -53.95% vs CWGIX's -54.47%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CWGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.69), 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.