CHCLX vs. SMCWX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CHCLX (AB Discovery Growth Fund) and SMCWX (American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - CHCLX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by AllianceBernstein, while SMCWX is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, CHCLX returned 13.37%/yr vs 9.96%/yr for SMCWX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CHCLX charges 0.91%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for SMCWX.

Performance

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Discovery Growth Fund (CHCLX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CHCLX achieves a 15.63% return, which is significantly higher than SMCWX's 12.78% return. Over the past 10 years, CHCLX has outperformed SMCWX with an annualized return of 13.37%, while SMCWX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.96% annualized return.

CHCLX

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 5.43%
• YTD: 15.63%
• 6M: 16.50%
• 1Y: 30.32%
• 3Y*: 16.51%
• 5Y*: 4.36%
• 10Y*: 13.37%

SMCWX

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 12.78%
• 6M: 13.38%
• 1Y: 25.58%
• 3Y*: 12.91%
• 5Y*: 2.19%
• 10Y*: 9.96%

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

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CHCLX AB Discovery Growth Fund	15.63%	6.67%	17.37%	18.72%	-36.11%	11.63%	52.90%	39.99%	-4.56%	32.58%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	12.78%	14.07%	2.33%	18.86%	-29.90%	10.14%	37.46%	30.79%	-9.75%	26.85%

Correlation

The correlation between CHCLX and SMCWX 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	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 1990	0.84

The correlation between CHCLX and SMCWX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CHCLX vs. SMCWX — Risk / Return Rank

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

CHCLX

CHCLX Risk / Return Rank: 26
CHCLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
CHCLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
CHCLX Omega Ratio Rank: 22
CHCLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
CHCLX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

SMCWX

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

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.

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Discovery Growth Fund (CHCLX) and American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX). 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.

	CHCLX	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	1.67	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	2.43	-0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.30	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.23	-0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.59	8.94	-1.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CHCLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is comparable to the SMCWX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CHCLX and SMCWX, 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

	CHCLX	SMCWX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	1.67	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.12	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.56	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.59	-0.20

Drawdowns

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CHCLX drawdown since its inception was -63.85%, roughly equal to the maximum SMCWX drawdown of -62.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CHCLX and SMCWX.

Drawdown Indicators

	CHCLX	SMCWX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.85%	-62.46%	-1.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.70%	-11.83%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.36%	-21.40%	-8.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.63%	-39.79%	-4.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.63%	-39.79%	-4.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.53%	-0.49%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.19%	-14.92%	+0.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.19%	2.95%	+1.24%

Volatility

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Volatility Comparison

AB Discovery Growth Fund (CHCLX) has a higher volatility of 7.02% compared to American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A (SMCWX) at 5.09%. This indicates that CHCLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SMCWX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CHCLX	SMCWX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.02%	5.09%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.30%	12.83%	+5.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.52%	15.82%	+6.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.74%	18.20%	+7.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.97%	17.90%	+7.07%

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Expense Ratio Comparison

CHCLX has a 0.91% expense ratio, which is lower than SMCWX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

CHCLX vs. SMCWX - Dividend Comparison

CHCLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.03%, more than SMCWX's 4.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CHCLX AB Discovery Growth Fund	10.03%	11.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	17.54%	15.15%	13.36%	20.33%	6.74%	0.00%	6.08%
SMCWX American Funds SMALLCAP World Fund Class A	4.30%	4.84%	0.60%	0.64%	0.00%	9.24%	1.60%	4.24%	7.06%	4.48%	0.35%	6.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CHCLX and SMCWX in my portfolio?

CHCLX and SMCWX 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, CHCLX or SMCWX?

CHCLX has higher volatility (7.02%) compared to SMCWX (5.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CHCLX dropped -63.85% vs SMCWX's -62.46%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SMCWX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.42), 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.