GFACX vs. ADX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GFACX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C) and ADX (Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.) are both mutual funds - GFACX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while ADX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Adams Funds. GFACX is passively managed, while ADX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GFACX returned 14.99%/yr vs 18.12%/yr for ADX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GFACX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for ADX.

Performance

GFACX vs. ADX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFACX achieves a 8.87% return, which is significantly lower than ADX's 13.11% return. Over the past 10 years, GFACX has underperformed ADX with an annualized return of 14.99%, while ADX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.12% annualized return.

GFACX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 5.15%
• YTD: 8.87%
• 6M: 8.31%
• 1Y: 23.77%
• 3Y*: 23.86%
• 5Y*: 11.23%
• 10Y*: 14.99%

ADX

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 5.36%
• YTD: 13.11%
• 6M: 14.34%
• 1Y: 33.65%
• 3Y*: 29.17%
• 5Y*: 17.19%
• 10Y*: 18.12%

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

GFACX vs. ADX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFACX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C	8.87%	18.80%	27.01%	36.20%	-31.28%	18.41%	36.84%	27.20%	-3.93%	25.13%
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	13.11%	26.03%	28.31%	31.49%	-19.82%	29.69%	17.28%	36.75%	-3.58%	29.61%

Correlation

The correlation between GFACX and ADX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2002	0.86

The correlation between GFACX and ADX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GFACX vs. ADX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFACX

GFACX Risk / Return Rank: 30
GFACX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
GFACX Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
GFACX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
GFACX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GFACX Martin Ratio Rank: 30

ADX

ADX Risk / Return Rank: 71
ADX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ADX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
ADX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
ADX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ADX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

GFACX vs. ADX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX). 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.

	GFACX	ADX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	2.45	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.44	-1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.42	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	3.33	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.78	17.70	-10.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFACX vs. ADX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFACX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is lower than the ADX Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFACX and ADX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GFACX	ADX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	2.45	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	1.00	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	1.01	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.10	+0.41

Drawdowns

GFACX vs. ADX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFACX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, smaller than the maximum ADX drawdown of -71.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFACX and ADX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFACX	ADX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.39%	-71.60%	+19.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-10.16%	-3.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.66%	-18.29%	-3.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.81%	-25.07%	-11.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.81%	-37.17%	+0.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-1.05%	-0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.15%	-23.13%	+13.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	1.91%	+1.67%

Volatility

GFACX vs. ADX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (ADX) have volatilities of 3.85% and 3.70%, 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

	GFACX	ADX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	3.70%	+0.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	10.63%	+1.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	13.82%	+1.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	17.30%	+2.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.69%	18.02%	+1.67%

GFACX vs. ADX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFACX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than ADX's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFACX vs. ADX - Dividend Comparison

GFACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.42%, more than ADX's 7.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ADX Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.	7.38%	7.93%	12.38%	7.34%	7.36%	15.35%	6.54%	9.00%	15.85%	9.18%	7.79%	7.17%
GFACX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C	11.42%	12.43%	10.01%	7.82%	4.22%	9.11%	4.48%	7.03%	12.28%	7.04%	6.43%	8.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFACX and ADX in my portfolio?

GFACX and ADX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFACX or ADX?

GFACX has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to ADX (3.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFACX dropped -52.39% vs ADX's -71.60%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ADX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.60), 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.