AWSHX vs. SWPPX

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) and SWPPX (Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. AWSHX is actively managed, while SWPPX is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX returned 13.00%/yr vs 15.59%/yr for SWPPX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AWSHX charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for SWPPX.

Performance

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - 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 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AWSHX achieves a 5.38% return, which is significantly lower than SWPPX's 8.10% return. Over the past 10 years, AWSHX has underperformed SWPPX with an annualized return of 13.00%, while SWPPX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.59% annualized return.

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 0.04%
• YTD: 5.38%
• 6M: 4.21%
• 1Y: 15.51%
• 3Y*: 17.85%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.00%

SWPPX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: -2.02%
• YTD: 8.10%
• 6M: 6.82%
• 1Y: 22.22%
• 3Y*: 20.75%
• 5Y*: 13.03%
• 10Y*: 15.59%

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

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.38%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	8.10%	17.87%	24.96%	26.26%	-18.14%	28.67%	18.38%	31.46%	-4.47%	21.81%

Correlation

The correlation between AWSHX and SWPPX 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 May 20, 1997	0.94

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

Return for Risk

AWSHX vs. SWPPX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 36
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SWPPX

SWPPX Risk / Return Rank: 55
SWPPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
SWPPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
SWPPX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
SWPPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SWPPX Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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. SWPPX - 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 Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX). 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	SWPPX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.78	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	2.43	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.32	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	2.51	-0.70
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	11.20	-3.39

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWSHX Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the SWPPX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWSHX and SWPPX, 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. SWPPX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWSHX drawdown since its inception was -53.95%, roughly equal to the maximum SWPPX drawdown of -55.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWSHX and SWPPX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWSHX	SWPPX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.95%	-55.06%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.37%	-8.89%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.66%	-18.74%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.64%	-24.51%	+5.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.65%	-33.80%	-0.85%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-3.22%	+2.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-9.93%	+3.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	1.99%	-0.05%

Volatility

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) is 2.90%, while Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund (SWPPX) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that AWSHX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SWPPX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AWSHX	SWPPX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.90%	4.92%	-2.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.02%	9.93%	-1.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.51%	12.57%	-2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.10%	17.04%	-2.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.30%	18.24%	-1.94%

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AWSHX has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than SWPPX's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

AWSHX vs. SWPPX - Dividend Comparison

AWSHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.82%, more than SWPPX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.82%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
SWPPX Schwab S&P 500 Index Fund	1.03%	1.11%	1.23%	1.43%	1.67%	1.27%	1.81%	1.95%	2.67%	1.79%	2.55%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AWSHX and SWPPX in my portfolio?

AWSHX and SWPPX 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 SWPPX?

SWPPX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to AWSHX (2.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWSHX dropped -53.95% vs SWPPX's -55.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWPPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.45), 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.