AWSHX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. AWSHX is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX returned 12.86%/yr vs 15.70%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AWSHX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

AWSHX vs. SPY - 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 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, AWSHX achieves a 5.96% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 9.74% return. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.86%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.70% 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%

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)

AWSHX vs. SPY - 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%
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 AWSHX and SPY is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.93

The correlation between AWSHX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AWSHX vs. SPY — 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

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.

AWSHX vs. SPY - 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 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.

	AWSHX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.16	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	2.91	-0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.13	3.01	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	13.54	-4.36

AWSHX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWSHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWSHX 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

AWSHX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWSHX drawdown since its inception was -53.95%, roughly equal to the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWSHX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWSHX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.95%	-55.19%	+1.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-8.88%	+0.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-18.76%	+4.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.64%	-24.50%	+5.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.65%	-33.72%	-0.93%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-1.75%	+1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-9.04%	+2.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.97%	-0.03%

Volatility

AWSHX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) is 2.94%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.64%. This indicates that AWSHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWSHX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	4.64%	-1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.07%	9.75%	-1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.52%	12.43%	-1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	17.14%	-3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.34%	17.99%	-1.65%

AWSHX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWSHX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWSHX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

AWSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.77%, more than SPY's 1.01% 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%
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 AWSHX and SPY in my portfolio?

AWSHX and SPY have a correlation of 0.88, 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.64%) compared to AWSHX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWSHX dropped -53.95% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 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.