GFACX vs. VIGIX
GFACX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C) and VIGIX (Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - GFACX tracks the S&P 500 while VIGIX tracks the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GFACX returned 14.99%/yr vs 18.25%/yr for VIGIX. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. GFACX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VIGIX.
Performance
GFACX vs. VIGIX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GFACX achieves a 8.87% return, which is significantly lower than VIGIX's 9.47% return. Over the past 10 years, GFACX has underperformed VIGIX with an annualized return of 14.99%, while VIGIX has yielded a comparatively higher 18.25% 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%
VIGIX
- 1D
- -1.23%
- 1M
- 5.47%
- YTD
- 9.47%
- 6M
- 8.60%
- 1Y
- 27.36%
- 3Y*
- 25.95%
- 5Y*
- 15.10%
- 10Y*
- 18.25%
GFACX vs. VIGIX - 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% |
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 9.47% | 19.44% | 32.68% | 46.77% | -33.13% | 27.27% | 40.19% | 37.26% | -3.34% | 27.81% |
Correlation
The correlation between GFACX and VIGIX is 0.94, 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 | 0.94 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2002 | 0.95 |
The correlation between GFACX and VIGIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
GFACX vs. VIGIX — Risk / Return Rank
GFACX
VIGIX
GFACX vs. VIGIX - 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 Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX). 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 | VIGIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.31 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.75 | 1.70 | +0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.78 | 5.96 | +0.82 |
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 | VIGIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.60 | 1.76 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 | 0.68 | -0.12 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.76 | 0.85 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.47 | +0.04 |
Drawdowns
GFACX vs. VIGIX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GFACX drawdown since its inception was -52.39%, smaller than the maximum VIGIX drawdown of -56.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFACX and VIGIX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GFACX | VIGIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -52.39% | -56.95% | +4.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.90% | -16.51% | +2.61% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.66% | -23.03% | +1.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -36.81% | -35.62% | -1.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.81% | -35.62% | -1.19% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.12% | -1.51% | +0.39% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.15% | -16.27% | +7.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.58% | 4.68% | -1.10% |
Volatility
GFACX vs. VIGIX - Volatility Comparison
American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund Class C (GFACX) and Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VIGIX) have volatilities of 3.85% and 3.92%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| GFACX | VIGIX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.85% | 3.92% | -0.07% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.67% | 12.17% | -0.50% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 15.17% | 15.92% | -0.75% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.24% | 22.35% | -2.11% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.69% | 21.59% | -1.90% |
GFACX vs. VIGIX - Expense Ratio Comparison
GFACX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VIGIX's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
GFACX vs. VIGIX - Dividend Comparison
GFACX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.42%, more than VIGIX's 0.37% 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% |
VIGIX Vanguard Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.37% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.15% | 1.40% | 1.31% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.94, GFACX and VIGIX 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.
VIGIX has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to GFACX (3.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFACX dropped -52.39% vs VIGIX's -56.95%.
VIGIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.76 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.
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