FWMIX vs. ABALX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

FWMIX (American Funds Washington Mutual F3) and ABALX (American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - FWMIX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while ABALX is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, FWMIX returned 12.29%/yr vs 9.28%/yr for ABALX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FWMIX charges 0.26%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for ABALX.

Performance

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Washington Mutual F3 (FWMIX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FWMIX achieves a 5.31% return, which is significantly lower than ABALX's 8.29% return.

FWMIX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 5.31%
• 6M: 4.14%
• 1Y: 15.23%
• 3Y*: 18.12%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: —

ABALX

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 8.29%
• 6M: 7.80%
• 1Y: 20.26%
• 3Y*: 16.61%
• 5Y*: 9.28%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FWMIX American Funds Washington Mutual F3	5.31%	17.55%	19.35%	17.58%	-8.17%	28.85%	8.01%	25.14%	-5.90%	19.05%
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	8.29%	18.45%	14.63%	13.65%	-12.13%	15.75%	10.85%	18.60%	-3.35%	12.64%

Correlation

The correlation between FWMIX and ABALX 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	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.95

The correlation between FWMIX and ABALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FWMIX vs. ABALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FWMIX

FWMIX Risk / Return Rank: 39
FWMIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
FWMIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
FWMIX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
FWMIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
FWMIX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

ABALX

ABALX Risk / Return Rank: 74
ABALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
ABALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ABALX Omega Ratio Rank: 73
ABALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
ABALX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Washington Mutual F3 (FWMIX) and American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX). 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.

	FWMIX	ABALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	2.34	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	3.26	-1.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.44	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.98	3.07	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.53	13.57	-5.04

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FWMIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the ABALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FWMIX and ABALX, 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

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FWMIX drawdown since its inception was -34.65%, smaller than the maximum ABALX drawdown of -40.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FWMIX and ABALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FWMIX	ABALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.65%	-40.20%	+5.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-7.03%	-1.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.63%	-10.68%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.46%	-18.76%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-22.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.30%	-1.53%	+0.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-3.85%	+0.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	1.59%	+0.34%

Volatility

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Washington Mutual F3 (FWMIX) is 2.91%, while American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A (ABALX) has a volatility of 3.57%. This indicates that FWMIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ABALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FWMIX	ABALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	3.57%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.03%	7.37%	+0.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.52%	9.26%	+1.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.11%	10.58%	+3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.67%	10.70%	+5.97%

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FWMIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is lower than ABALX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

FWMIX vs. ABALX - Dividend Comparison

FWMIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.15%, more than ABALX's 7.20% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ABALX American Funds American Balanced Fund Class A	7.20%	8.27%	6.87%	2.05%	2.30%	4.30%	4.35%	3.49%	5.49%	4.72%	4.24%	5.60%
FWMIX American Funds Washington Mutual F3	10.15%	10.38%	10.37%	6.43%	6.64%	6.34%	3.35%	6.40%	4.67%	7.54%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FWMIX and ABALX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, FWMIX and ABALX 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, FWMIX or ABALX?

ABALX has higher volatility (3.57%) compared to FWMIX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FWMIX dropped -34.65% vs ABALX's -40.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ABALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 1.57), 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.