CAIBX vs. VIG

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CAIBX (American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) are both funds - CAIBX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while VIG is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. Over the past 10 years, CAIBX returned 7.88%/yr vs 13.40%/yr for VIG. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CAIBX charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIG.

Performance

CAIBX vs. VIG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CAIBX having a 7.43% return and VIG slightly higher at 7.53%. Over the past 10 years, CAIBX has underperformed VIG with an annualized return of 7.88%, while VIG has yielded a comparatively higher 13.40% annualized return.

CAIBX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 7.43%
• 6M: 7.74%
• 1Y: 17.79%
• 3Y*: 14.33%
• 5Y*: 8.82%
• 10Y*: 7.88%

VIG

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 7.53%
• 6M: 6.96%
• 1Y: 20.27%
• 3Y*: 16.05%
• 5Y*: 11.07%
• 10Y*: 13.40%

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

CAIBX vs. VIG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAIBX American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A	7.43%	20.39%	10.24%	8.95%	-7.14%	14.99%	3.20%	17.23%	-7.28%	13.99%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	7.53%	14.17%	16.99%	14.51%	-9.80%	23.76%	15.43%	29.62%	-2.08%	22.22%

Correlation

The correlation between CAIBX and VIG 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	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2006	0.85

The correlation between CAIBX and VIG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CAIBX vs. VIG — Risk / Return Rank

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

CAIBX

CAIBX Risk / Return Rank: 60
CAIBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
CAIBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
CAIBX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
CAIBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
CAIBX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

VIG

VIG Risk / Return Rank: 61
VIG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VIG Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VIG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
VIG Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VIG Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

CAIBX vs. VIG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX) and Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG). 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.

	CAIBX	VIG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.01	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	2.90	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.57	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.80	10.39	+0.41

CAIBX vs. VIG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAIBX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the VIG Sharpe Ratio of 2.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAIBX and VIG, 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

CAIBX vs. VIG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAIBX drawdown since its inception was -43.68%, smaller than the maximum VIG drawdown of -46.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAIBX and VIG.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAIBX	VIG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.68%	-46.81%	+3.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-7.91%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.89%	-14.95%	+6.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.65%	-20.39%	+2.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.28%	-31.72%	+6.44%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-0.62%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.80%	-5.50%	+1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	1.96%	-0.33%

Volatility

CAIBX vs. VIG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A (CAIBX) is 2.56%, while Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) has a volatility of 2.82%. This indicates that CAIBX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VIG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAIBX	VIG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	2.82%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.63%	7.68%	-1.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.23%	10.14%	-1.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.01%	14.23%	-4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.89%	16.07%	-5.18%

CAIBX vs. VIG - Expense Ratio Comparison

CAIBX has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than VIG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

CAIBX vs. VIG - Dividend Comparison

CAIBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.30%, more than VIG's 1.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAIBX American Funds Capital Income Builder Class A	7.30%	7.71%	5.76%	3.47%	3.43%	3.14%	3.38%	4.10%	3.55%	4.44%	3.52%	3.62%
VIG Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF	1.47%	1.62%	1.73%	1.88%	1.96%	1.55%	1.63%	1.71%	2.08%	1.88%	2.14%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAIBX and VIG in my portfolio?

CAIBX and VIG 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, CAIBX or VIG?

VIG has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to CAIBX (2.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAIBX dropped -43.68% vs VIG's -46.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAIBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 2.01), 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.