CWBFX vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

CWBFX (American Funds Capital World Bond Fund) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - CWBFX is a Global Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, CWBFX returned 0.04%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for SPY. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. CWBFX charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

CWBFX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital World Bond Fund (CWBFX) 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, CWBFX achieves a -1.51% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.45% return. Over the past 10 years, CWBFX has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 0.04%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.08% annualized return.

CWBFX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: -0.79%
• 6M: -1.39%
• YTD: -1.51%
• 1Y: 0.30%
• 3Y*: 2.44%
• 5Y*: -2.62%
• 10Y*: 0.04%

SPY

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 10.45%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

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

CWBFX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWBFX American Funds Capital World Bond Fund	-1.51%	7.78%	-3.25%	5.81%	-17.52%	-5.17%	9.91%	7.66%	-1.81%	7.26%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.45%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between CWBFX and SPY is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.05

Over the past year, CWBFX and SPY have become more correlated (0.41) than their long-term average of 0.05, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

CWBFX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWBFX

CWBFX Risk / Return Rank: 3
CWBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
CWBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
CWBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
CWBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
CWBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

CWBFX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital World Bond Fund (CWBFX) 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.

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.

	CWBFX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.01	1.71	-1.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.01	2.37	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.00	1.31	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.43	-2.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.04	10.57	-10.61

CWBFX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWBFX Sharpe Ratio is -0.01, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWBFX 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.

Drawdowns

CWBFX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWBFX drawdown since its inception was -27.91%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWBFX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWBFX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.91%	-55.19%	+27.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.45%	-8.88%	+4.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.69%	-18.76%	+11.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.34%	-24.50%	-1.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.91%	-33.72%	+5.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.22%	-1.12%	-14.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.21%	-9.02%	+4.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.81%	2.03%	-0.22%

Volatility

CWBFX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Capital World Bond Fund (CWBFX) is 1.32%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.26%. This indicates that CWBFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CWBFX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	4.26%	-2.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.98%	10.01%	-6.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.94%	12.60%	-7.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.59%	17.17%	-10.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.65%	17.93%	-12.28%

CWBFX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWBFX has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWBFX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

CWBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.82%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWBFX American Funds Capital World Bond Fund	3.82%	2.68%	3.01%	2.47%	1.99%	2.63%	3.18%	2.26%	1.87%	1.80%	2.05%	0.58%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	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 CWBFX and SPY in my portfolio?

CWBFX and SPY have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CWBFX or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.26%) compared to CWBFX (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWBFX dropped -27.91% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.01), 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.