GFACX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Jul 3, 2026

GFACX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - GFACX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P 500, while AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. GFACX is passively managed, while AWSHX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, GFACX returned 15.07%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for AWSHX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GFACX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

GFACX vs. AWSHX - 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 American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFACX achieves a 8.54% return, which is significantly higher than AWSHX's 7.13% return. Over the past 10 years, GFACX has outperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 15.07%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

GFACX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -1.10%
• 6M: 8.54%
• YTD: 8.54%
• 1Y: 17.57%
• 3Y*: 22.09%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: 15.07%

AWSHX

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 1.17%
• 6M: 7.13%
• YTD: 7.13%
• 1Y: 14.86%
• 3Y*: 17.61%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

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

GFACX vs. AWSHX - 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	8.54%	18.80%	27.01%	36.20%	-31.28%	18.41%	36.84%	27.20%	-3.93%	25.13%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	7.13%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between GFACX and AWSHX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2002	0.89

The correlation between GFACX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFACX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFACX

GFACX Risk / Return Rank: 25
GFACX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
GFACX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
GFACX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GFACX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GFACX Martin Ratio Rank: 27

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 39
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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. AWSHX - 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 American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). 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.

	GFACX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.12	1.46	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.60	2.10	-0.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.26	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.32	1.82	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.99	7.83	-2.84

GFACX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFACX Sharpe Ratio is 1.12, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFACX and AWSHX, 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

GFACX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFACX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, roughly equal to the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFACX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFACX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.39%	-53.95%	+1.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-8.37%	-5.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.66%	-14.66%	-7.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.81%	-18.64%	-18.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.81%	-34.65%	-2.16%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.42%	-0.16%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.13%	-6.40%	-2.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	1.94%	+1.74%

Volatility

GFACX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) has a higher volatility of 7.20% compared to American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) at 3.00%. This indicates that GFACX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AWSHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFACX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	3.00%	+4.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.22%	8.02%	+5.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.38%	10.44%	+5.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.46%	14.10%	+6.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.72%	16.28%	+3.44%

GFACX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFACX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFACX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

GFACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.45%, more than AWSHX's 9.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.66%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
GFACX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C	11.45%	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 AWSHX in my portfolio?

GFACX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.82, 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 AWSHX?

GFACX has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to AWSHX (3.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFACX dropped -52.39% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AWSHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.46 vs 1.12), 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.