CWGIX vs. VXUS

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CWGIX (American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both Global Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, CWGIX returned 12.13%/yr vs 10.57%/yr for VXUS. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CWGIX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CWGIX having a 15.73% return and VXUS slightly higher at 16.04%. Over the past 10 years, CWGIX has outperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 12.13%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.57% annualized return.

CWGIX

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 2.85%
• YTD: 15.73%
• 6M: 16.07%
• 1Y: 32.99%
• 3Y*: 20.71%
• 5Y*: 11.55%
• 10Y*: 12.13%

VXUS

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 3.54%
• YTD: 16.04%
• 6M: 16.58%
• 1Y: 34.50%
• 3Y*: 20.13%
• 5Y*: 9.22%
• 10Y*: 10.57%

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

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CWGIX American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A	15.73%	24.68%	13.85%	20.55%	-17.32%	14.74%	15.31%	25.32%	-10.60%	24.55%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	16.04%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between CWGIX and VXUS is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 28, 2011	0.93

The correlation between CWGIX and VXUS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CWGIX vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

CWGIX

CWGIX Risk / Return Rank: 70
CWGIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
CWGIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
CWGIX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CWGIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
CWGIX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 67
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

	CWGIX	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.16	+0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	2.92	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.40	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	3.07	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.25	11.84	+1.41

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CWGIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CWGIX and VXUS, 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

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CWGIX drawdown since its inception was -54.47%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CWGIX and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	CWGIX	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.47%	-35.97%	-18.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.52%	-11.27%	+0.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.56%	-13.58%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.18%	-29.44%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.00%	-35.97%	+3.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.61%	0.00%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.12%	-8.20%	+1.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.45%	2.92%	-0.47%

Volatility

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A (CWGIX) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) have volatilities of 6.13% and 6.28%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CWGIX	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.13%	6.28%	-0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.27%	14.10%	-1.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.53%	16.08%	-1.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.39%	16.21%	-0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.12%	17.18%	-1.06%

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

CWGIX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

CWGIX vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

CWGIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.17%, more than VXUS's 2.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CWGIX American Funds Capital World Growth and Income Fund Class A	9.17%	10.54%	7.88%	3.20%	2.09%	6.82%	1.23%	2.44%	7.00%	6.63%	4.96%	3.78%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.51%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CWGIX and VXUS in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, CWGIX and VXUS 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, CWGIX or VXUS?

VXUS has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to CWGIX (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CWGIX dropped -54.47% vs VXUS's -35.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CWGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 2.16), 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.