GFACX vs. QQQ
Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ).
GFACX is a passively managed fund by American Funds that tracks the performance of the S&P 500. It was launched on Mar 15, 2001. QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999. Both GFACX and QQQ are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Performance
GFACX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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GFACX vs. QQQ - 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 | -11.38% | 18.80% | 27.01% | 36.20% | -31.28% | 18.41% | 36.84% | 27.20% | -3.93% | 25.13% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | -5.93% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GFACX achieves a -11.38% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's -5.93% return. Over the past 10 years, GFACX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.05%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 18.85% annualized return.
GFACX
- 1D
- -0.48%
- 1M
- -9.70%
- YTD
- -11.38%
- 6M
- -10.24%
- 1Y
- 12.70%
- 3Y*
- 17.95%
- 5Y*
- 7.70%
- 10Y*
- 13.05%
QQQ
- 1D
- 3.39%
- 1M
- -4.84%
- YTD
- -5.93%
- 6M
- -3.62%
- 1Y
- 23.68%
- 3Y*
- 22.32%
- 5Y*
- 12.88%
- 10Y*
- 18.85%
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GFACX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
GFACX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
GFACX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
GFACX
QQQ
GFACX vs. QQQ - 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 Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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 | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.60 | 1.05 | -0.45 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.01 | 1.63 | -0.62 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.14 | 1.23 | -0.09 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.69 | 1.88 | -1.19 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.66 | 6.95 | -4.29 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GFACX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.60 | 1.05 | -0.45 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 | 0.58 | -0.19 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.67 | 0.85 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.47 | 0.37 | +0.09 |
Correlation
The correlation between GFACX and QQQ is 0.91, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
GFACX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
GFACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.02%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GFACX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C | 14.02% | 12.43% | 10.01% | 7.82% | 4.22% | 9.11% | 4.48% | 7.03% | 12.28% | 7.04% | 6.43% | 8.73% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
Drawdowns
GFACX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GFACX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFACX and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GFACX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -52.39% | -82.97% | +30.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.90% | -12.62% | -1.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.81% | -35.12% | -1.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.81% | -35.12% | -1.69% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.90% | -8.98% | -4.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.20% | -32.99% | +23.79% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.61% | 3.41% | +0.20% |
Volatility
GFACX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) is 5.47%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.51%. This indicates that GFACX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GFACX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.47% | 6.51% | -1.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.61% | 12.77% | -1.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.77% | 22.67% | -1.90% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.17% | 22.39% | -2.22% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.61% | 22.25% | -2.64% |