CFIHX vs. AMECX

Last updated Jun 19, 2026

CFIHX (American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3) and AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 5 years, CFIHX returned 9.01%/yr vs 8.08%/yr for AMECX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. CFIHX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for AMECX.

Performance

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) 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, CFIHX achieves a 7.57% return, which is significantly higher than AMECX's 5.48% return.

CFIHX

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 1.10%
• YTD: 7.57%
• 6M: 8.60%
• 1Y: 17.95%
• 3Y*: 14.41%
• 5Y*: 9.01%
• 10Y*: —

AMECX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 6.05%
• 1Y: 14.23%
• 3Y*: 12.78%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

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

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CFIHX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3	7.57%	20.76%	9.78%	9.31%	-6.86%	15.39%	3.52%	17.60%	-6.77%	13.12%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	5.48%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	11.14%

Correlation

The correlation between CFIHX and AMECX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.97

The correlation between CFIHX and AMECX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CFIHX vs. AMECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CFIHX

CFIHX Risk / Return Rank: 67
CFIHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
CFIHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CFIHX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
CFIHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
CFIHX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 49
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) 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.

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.

	CFIHX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.93	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	2.73	+0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.35	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.80	2.33	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.13	8.61	+2.52

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CFIHX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the AMECX Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CFIHX 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.

Drawdowns

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CFIHX drawdown since its inception was -25.26%, smaller than the maximum AMECX drawdown of -41.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CFIHX and AMECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CFIHX	AMECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.26%	-41.92%	+16.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.46%	-6.13%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.88%	-8.58%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.45%	-15.78%	-1.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.13%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-2.02%	+1.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.42%	-4.45%	+1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.62%	1.66%	-0.04%

Volatility

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3 (CFIHX) has a higher volatility of 2.60% compared to American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) at 2.30%. This indicates that CFIHX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AMECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CFIHX	AMECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.60%	2.30%	+0.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.66%	5.82%	+0.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.27%	7.41%	+0.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.04%	9.47%	+0.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.97%	10.69%	+0.28%

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CFIHX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than AMECX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

CFIHX vs. AMECX - Dividend Comparison

CFIHX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.61%, less than AMECX's 9.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.55%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
CFIHX American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund Class F-3	7.61%	8.03%	5.35%	3.79%	3.77%	3.46%	3.70%	4.41%	4.11%	4.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CFIHX and AMECX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, CFIHX and AMECX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, CFIHX or AMECX?

CFIHX has higher volatility (2.60%) compared to AMECX (2.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CFIHX dropped -25.26% vs AMECX's -41.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CFIHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.93), 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.