GAFFX vs. VHCAX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GAFFX (American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3) and VHCAX (Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, GAFFX returned 11.82%/yr vs 14.60%/yr for VHCAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GAFFX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.36%/yr for VHCAX.

Performance

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX) and Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GAFFX achieves a 8.87% return, which is significantly lower than VHCAX's 28.29% return.

GAFFX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 8.87%
• 6M: 7.97%
• 1Y: 23.15%
• 3Y*: 24.31%
• 5Y*: 11.82%
• 10Y*: —

VHCAX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 8.35%
• YTD: 28.29%
• 6M: 26.78%
• 1Y: 57.13%
• 3Y*: 27.20%
• 5Y*: 14.60%
• 10Y*: 18.16%

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

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GAFFX American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3	8.87%	20.09%	28.41%	37.68%	-30.54%	19.67%	38.31%	28.57%	-2.89%	20.76%
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	28.29%	25.83%	14.07%	25.63%	-17.56%	20.92%	22.83%	27.30%	-3.71%	23.80%

Correlation

The correlation between GAFFX and VHCAX is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.92

The correlation between GAFFX and VHCAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GAFFX vs. VHCAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GAFFX

GAFFX Risk / Return Rank: 30
GAFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
GAFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GAFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GAFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GAFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

VHCAX

VHCAX Risk / Return Rank: 92
VHCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
VHCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
VHCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
VHCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
VHCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX) and Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX). 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.

	GAFFX	VHCAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	3.17	-1.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.07	4.15	-2.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.56	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	4.71	-2.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.84	20.79	-13.95

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GAFFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is lower than the VHCAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GAFFX and VHCAX, 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

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GAFFX drawdown since its inception was -36.19%, smaller than the maximum VHCAX drawdown of -54.27%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GAFFX and VHCAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GAFFX	VHCAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.19%	-54.27%	+18.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.71%	-12.42%	-1.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-23.92%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.19%	-27.55%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.78%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.55%	0.00%	-1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.38%	-8.39%	+1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	2.81%	+0.76%

Volatility

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3 (GAFFX) is 6.79%, while Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares (VHCAX) has a volatility of 8.40%. This indicates that GAFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VHCAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GAFFX	VHCAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.79%	8.40%	-1.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.02%	15.51%	-2.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.32%	18.49%	-2.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.43%	20.09%	+0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.19%	20.45%	-0.26%

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GAFFX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than VHCAX's 0.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

GAFFX vs. VHCAX - Dividend Comparison

GAFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.11%, more than VHCAX's 7.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GAFFX American Funds Growth Fund of Amer F3	10.11%	11.00%	9.30%	7.71%	4.45%	8.50%	4.58%	7.47%	12.37%	7.36%	0.00%	0.00%
VHCAX Vanguard Capital Opportunity Fund Admiral Shares	7.57%	9.71%	8.24%	2.40%	9.35%	10.55%	9.19%	6.48%	12.23%	3.87%	5.74%	5.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GAFFX and VHCAX in my portfolio?

GAFFX and VHCAX have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GAFFX or VHCAX?

VHCAX has higher volatility (8.40%) compared to GAFFX (6.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GAFFX dropped -36.19% vs VHCAX's -54.27%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VHCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.17 vs 1.50), 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.