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CGFAX vs. AFTFX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class 529-A (CGFAX) and American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America Class F-1 (AFTFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGFAX achieves a 4.27% return, which is significantly higher than AFTFX's 0.49% return. Over the past 10 years, CGFAX has outperformed AFTFX with an annualized return of 14.97%, while AFTFX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.85% annualized return.


CGFAX

1D
-0.38%
1M
-2.33%
6M
2.17%
YTD
4.27%
1Y
10.07%
3Y*
19.69%
5Y*
9.95%
10Y*
14.97%
ALL TIME*
10.57%

AFTFX

1D
0.32%
1M
-1.35%
6M
0.25%
YTD
0.49%
1Y
5.84%
3Y*
3.39%
5Y*
0.53%
10Y*
1.85%
ALL TIME*
3.50%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison


PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)
$0.00$0.00$0.00
$0.00$0.00$0.00

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
CGFAX
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class 529-A
4.27%19.69%27.99%37.14%-30.76%19.26%37.81%28.09%-3.25%26.06%
AFTFX
American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America Class F-1
0.49%3.77%2.22%6.41%-9.23%1.96%4.64%7.09%0.66%5.43%

Correlation

The correlation between CGFAX and AFTFX is 0.22, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.


Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.22

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.14

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.13

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.05

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2002

-0.09

The correlation between CGFAX and AFTFX shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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Return for Risk

CGFAX vs. AFTFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CGFAX
CGFAX Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
CGFAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CGFAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1515
Sortino Ratio Rank
CGFAX Omega Ratio Rank: 1616
Omega Ratio Rank
CGFAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
CGFAX Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank

AFTFX
AFTFX Risk / Return Rank: 7777
Overall Rank
AFTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AFTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8989
Sortino Ratio Rank
AFTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 9191
Omega Ratio Rank
AFTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
AFTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class 529-A (CGFAX) and American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America Class F-1 (AFTFX). 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.


CGFAXAFTFXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-1.59

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-2.36

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.12

1.52

-0.40

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.74

2.13

-1.39

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.75

7.29

-4.55

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGFAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the AFTFX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGFAX and AFTFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.


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Drawdowns

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGFAX drawdown since its inception was -51.91%, which is greater than AFTFX's maximum drawdown of -13.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGFAX and AFTFX.


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Drawdown Indicators


CGFAXAFTFXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-51.91%

-13.99%

-37.92%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.77%

-2.76%

-11.01%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-21.58%

-5.07%

-16.51%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.39%

-13.99%

-22.40%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.39%

-13.99%

-22.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.58%

-1.67%

-3.91%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.57%

-1.85%

-6.72%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.72%

0.80%

+2.92%

Volatility

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class 529-A (CGFAX) has a higher volatility of 4.47% compared to American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America Class F-1 (AFTFX) at 0.94%. This indicates that CGFAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFTFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


CGFAXAFTFXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.47%

0.94%

+3.53%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.38%

2.16%

+11.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.76%

2.68%

+14.08%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.54%

3.77%

+16.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

19.78%

3.78%

+16.00%

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGFAX has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is lower than AFTFX's 0.63% expense ratio.


Dividends

CGFAX vs. AFTFX - Dividend Comparison

CGFAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.44%, more than AFTFX's 2.98% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AFTFX
American Funds Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America Class F-1
2.98%2.92%2.84%2.62%2.25%2.39%2.34%2.52%2.75%2.93%3.02%3.10%
CGFAX
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class 529-A
10.44%10.88%9.12%7.48%4.09%8.26%4.34%7.18%12.03%7.07%6.60%8.86%

Frequently Asked Questions


CGFAX and AFTFX have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

CGFAX has higher volatility (4.47%) compared to AFTFX (0.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGFAX dropped -51.91% vs AFTFX's -13.99%.

AFTFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 0.61), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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