GFACX vs. GFFFX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GFACX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C) and GFFFX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, GFACX returned 14.99%/yr vs 16.12%/yr for GFFFX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GFACX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GFFFX.

Performance

GFACX vs. GFFFX - 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 The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GFACX having a 8.87% return and GFFFX slightly higher at 9.30%. Over the past 10 years, GFACX has underperformed GFFFX with an annualized return of 14.99%, while GFFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.12% 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%

GFFFX

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 9.30%
• 6M: 8.82%
• 1Y: 24.96%
• 3Y*: 25.07%
• 5Y*: 12.31%
• 10Y*: 16.12%

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

GFACX vs. GFFFX - 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%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	9.30%	19.96%	28.28%	37.51%	-30.61%	19.55%	38.16%	28.43%	-2.96%	26.38%

Correlation

The correlation between GFACX and GFFFX is 1.00 - 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	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	1.00

The correlation between GFACX and GFFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFACX vs. GFFFX — 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

GFFFX

GFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 31
GFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
GFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
GFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
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.

GFACX vs. GFFFX - 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 The Growth Fund of America (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.

	GFACX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.60	1.68	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	2.32	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.30	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.75	1.86	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.78	7.26	-0.48
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. GFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFACX Sharpe Ratio is 1.60, which is comparable to the GFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFACX 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GFACX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60	1.68	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.61	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.82	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.81	-0.29

Drawdowns

GFACX vs. GFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFACX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, which is greater than GFFFX's maximum drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFACX and GFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFACX	GFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.39%	-36.26%	-16.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.90%	-13.74%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.66%	-21.55%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.81%	-36.26%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.81%	-36.26%	-0.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-1.12%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.15%	-5.57%	-3.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	3.51%	+0.07%

Volatility

GFACX vs. GFFFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX) have volatilities of 3.85% and 3.84%, 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	GFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.85%	3.84%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	11.66%	+0.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	15.17%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	20.25%	-0.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.69%	19.69%	0.00%

GFACX vs. GFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFACX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than GFFFX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFACX vs. GFFFX - Dividend Comparison

GFACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.42%, more than GFFFX's 10.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	10.02%	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 GFACX and GFFFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, GFACX 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, GFACX or GFFFX?

GFACX has higher volatility (3.85%) compared to GFFFX (3.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFACX dropped -52.39% vs GFFFX's -36.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GFFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 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.