FAOOX vs. GFFFX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FAOOX (American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3) and GFFFX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2) are both mutual funds - FAOOX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while GFFFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FAOOX returned 15.32%/yr vs 12.20%/yr for GFFFX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FAOOX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GFFFX.

Performance

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3 (FAOOX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with FAOOX having a 9.78% return and GFFFX slightly lower at 9.40%.

FAOOX

• 1D: 1.32%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 9.78%
• 6M: 9.75%
• 1Y: 24.97%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 15.32%
• 10Y*: —

GFFFX

• 1D: 1.79%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.88%
• 3Y*: 23.89%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 16.26%

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

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
FAOOX American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3	9.78%	20.77%	25.21%	28.87%	-15.29%	25.39%	3.86%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2	9.40%	19.96%	28.28%	37.51%	-30.61%	19.55%	8.94%

Correlation

The correlation between FAOOX and GFFFX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 23, 2020	0.93

The correlation between FAOOX and GFFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FAOOX vs. GFFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAOOX

FAOOX Risk / Return Rank: 48
FAOOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FAOOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
FAOOX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
FAOOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
FAOOX Martin Ratio Rank: 58

GFFFX

GFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 30
GFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
GFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3 (FAOOX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX). 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.

	FAOOX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.51	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.57	2.08	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.28	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.45	1.79	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.86	6.84	+4.02

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAOOX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the GFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAOOX and GFFFX, 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

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAOOX drawdown since its inception was -24.17%, smaller than the maximum GFFFX drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAOOX and GFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAOOX	GFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.17%	-36.26%	+12.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.04%	-13.74%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.37%	-21.55%	+4.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.17%	-36.26%	+12.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-36.26%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-1.03%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.52%	-5.56%	+1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.26%	3.58%	-1.32%

Volatility

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3 (FAOOX) is 5.04%, while American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX) has a volatility of 6.90%. This indicates that FAOOX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GFFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAOOX	GFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	6.90%	-1.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.60%	13.13%	-2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.18%	16.28%	-3.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.12%	20.43%	-4.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.83%	19.77%	-3.94%

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FAOOX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than GFFFX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FAOOX vs. GFFFX - Dividend Comparison

FAOOX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.37%, less than GFFFX's 10.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAOOX American Funds Investment Company of America Class 529-F-3	9.37%	10.84%	9.53%	5.20%	6.39%	7.18%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2	10.01%	10.95%	9.23%	7.64%	4.32%	8.42%	4.51%	7.38%	12.29%	7.27%	6.87%	9.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAOOX and GFFFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, FAOOX and GFFFX 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, FAOOX or GFFFX?

GFFFX has higher volatility (6.90%) compared to FAOOX (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAOOX dropped -24.17% vs GFFFX's -36.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FAOOX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.51), 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.