CENAX vs. AMECX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

CENAX (American Funds College Enrollment Fund) and AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) are both mutual funds - CENAX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by American Funds, while AMECX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, CENAX returned 2.48%/yr vs 8.48%/yr for AMECX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CENAX charges 0.67%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for AMECX.

Performance

CENAX vs. AMECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds College Enrollment Fund (CENAX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CENAX achieves a 1.15% return, which is significantly lower than AMECX's 6.38% return. Over the past 10 years, CENAX has underperformed AMECX with an annualized return of 2.48%, while AMECX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.48% annualized return.

CENAX

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.10%
• YTD: 1.15%
• 6M: 1.58%
• 1Y: 5.74%
• 3Y*: 5.61%
• 5Y*: 2.88%
• 10Y*: 2.48%

AMECX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 6.38%
• 6M: 7.52%
• 1Y: 15.78%
• 3Y*: 13.88%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: 8.48%

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

CENAX vs. AMECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CENAX American Funds College Enrollment Fund	1.15%	7.71%	4.68%	4.88%	-3.56%	-0.68%	5.94%	3.98%	0.79%	0.92%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	6.38%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%

Correlation

The correlation between CENAX and AMECX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.15

Over the past year, CENAX and AMECX have become more correlated (0.60) than their long-term average of 0.15, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

CENAX vs. AMECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CENAX

CENAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
CENAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CENAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
CENAX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
CENAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
CENAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 54
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

CENAX vs. AMECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds College Enrollment Fund (CENAX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). 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.

	CENAX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.20	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.22	3.11	+0.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.40	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	2.58	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.46	9.71	-0.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CENAX vs. AMECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CENAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the AMECX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CENAX and AMECX, 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

	CENAX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.20	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.82	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.80	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.72	0.00

Drawdowns

CENAX vs. AMECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CENAX drawdown since its inception was -10.48%, smaller than the maximum AMECX drawdown of -41.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CENAX and AMECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CENAX	AMECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-10.48%	-41.92%	+31.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.26%	-6.13%	+3.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-2.61%	-8.58%	+5.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.31%	-15.78%	+5.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-10.48%	-26.13%	+15.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-1.19%	+0.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.11%	-4.45%	+3.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.59%	1.63%	-1.04%

Volatility

CENAX vs. AMECX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds College Enrollment Fund (CENAX) is 1.02%, while American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) has a volatility of 2.12%. This indicates that CENAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CENAX	AMECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.02%	2.12%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.98%	5.63%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.61%	7.20%	-4.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.00%	9.45%	-5.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.10%	10.68%	-7.58%

CENAX vs. AMECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CENAX has a 0.67% expense ratio, which is higher than AMECX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

CENAX vs. AMECX - Dividend Comparison

CENAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, less than AMECX's 9.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.41%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
CENAX American Funds College Enrollment Fund	3.84%	3.88%	3.43%	3.59%	5.98%	1.12%	3.42%	2.29%	1.41%	1.43%	1.60%	1.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CENAX and AMECX in my portfolio?

CENAX and AMECX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CENAX or AMECX?

AMECX has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to CENAX (1.02%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CENAX dropped -10.48% vs AMECX's -41.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMECX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 2.14), 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.