CPGAX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

CPGAX (American Funds Global Growth Portfolio) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - CPGAX is a Global Equities fund managed by Pacific LifeFunds, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, CPGAX returned 12.47%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CPGAX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

CPGAX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Global Growth Portfolio (CPGAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CPGAX achieves a 12.73% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, CPGAX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 12.47%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

CPGAX

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 12.73%
• 6M: 14.53%
• 1Y: 30.31%
• 3Y*: 20.69%
• 5Y*: 8.92%
• 10Y*: 12.47%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

CPGAX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CPGAX American Funds Global Growth Portfolio	12.73%	22.99%	14.81%	24.05%	-25.77%	12.89%	27.36%	27.87%	-8.99%	28.56%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CPGAX and SPY is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2012	0.92

The correlation between CPGAX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CPGAX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CPGAX

CPGAX Risk / Return Rank: 55
CPGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
CPGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CPGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
CPGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
CPGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

CPGAX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Global Growth Portfolio (CPGAX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	CPGAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.38	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.05	3.24	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	3.16	-0.42
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.22	14.72	-2.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CPGAX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CPGAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CPGAX and SPY, 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

	CPGAX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	2.38	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.82	-0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.87	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.59	+0.16

Drawdowns

CPGAX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CPGAX drawdown since its inception was -34.42%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CPGAX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CPGAX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.42%	-55.19%	+20.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-8.88%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-18.76%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.42%	-24.50%	-9.92%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.42%	-33.72%	-0.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.70%	+0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.93%	-9.05%	+3.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.55%	1.91%	+0.64%

Volatility

CPGAX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Global Growth Portfolio (CPGAX) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that CPGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CPGAX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	2.84%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.60%	8.90%	+2.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.29%	11.83%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.07%	17.05%	+0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	17.94%	-0.65%

CPGAX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

CPGAX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CPGAX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CPGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CPGAX American Funds Global Growth Portfolio	4.96%	5.59%	4.29%	0.92%	7.95%	3.33%	0.77%	4.89%	5.69%	6.21%	3.66%	3.92%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CPGAX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, CPGAX and SPY 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, CPGAX or SPY?

CPGAX has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CPGAX dropped -34.42% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.20), 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.