GFAFX vs. VONG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

GFAFX (American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. GFAFX is actively managed, while VONG is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GFAFX returned 15.95%/yr vs 18.77%/yr for VONG. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GFAFX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VONG.

Performance

GFAFX vs. VONG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1 (GFAFX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFAFX achieves a 10.42% return, which is significantly higher than VONG's 8.61% return. Over the past 10 years, GFAFX has underperformed VONG with an annualized return of 15.95%, while VONG has yielded a comparatively higher 18.77% annualized return.

GFAFX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 7.35%
• YTD: 10.42%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 27.06%
• 3Y*: 25.23%
• 5Y*: 12.29%
• 10Y*: 15.95%

VONG

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 6.89%
• YTD: 8.61%
• 6M: 7.89%
• 1Y: 28.25%
• 3Y*: 25.48%
• 5Y*: 15.98%
• 10Y*: 18.77%

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

GFAFX vs. VONG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFAFX American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1	10.42%	19.66%	27.96%	37.15%	-30.78%	19.24%	37.78%	28.10%	-3.23%	26.07%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	8.61%	18.45%	33.20%	42.67%	-29.18%	27.60%	38.30%	36.06%	-1.53%	30.05%

Correlation

The correlation between GFAFX and VONG is 0.93, 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	0.93
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	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.94

The correlation between GFAFX and VONG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GFAFX vs. VONG — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFAFX

GFAFX Risk / Return Rank: 36
GFAFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
GFAFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
GFAFX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
GFAFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
GFAFX Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VONG

VONG Risk / Return Rank: 46
VONG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VONG Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
VONG Omega Ratio Rank: 51
VONG Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VONG Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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.

GFAFX vs. VONG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1 (GFAFX) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG). 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.

	GFAFX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.85	0.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.50	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	1.79	+0.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.94	6.02	+1.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFAFX vs. VONG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFAFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is comparable to the VONG Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFAFX and VONG, 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

	GFAFX	VONG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	1.85	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.75	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.90	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.90	-0.34

Drawdowns

GFAFX vs. VONG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFAFX drawdown since its inception was -51.87%, which is greater than VONG's maximum drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFAFX and VONG.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFAFX	VONG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.87%	-32.72%	-19.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.79%	-16.23%	+2.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.57%	-23.27%	+1.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.41%	-32.72%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.41%	-32.72%	-3.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.35%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.62%	-4.88%	-3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.53%	4.83%	-1.30%

Volatility

GFAFX vs. VONG - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1 (GFAFX) has a higher volatility of 3.62% compared to Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) at 3.23%. This indicates that GFAFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VONG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFAFX	VONG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	3.23%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.67%	11.53%	+0.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.19%	15.32%	-0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.25%	21.33%	-1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.69%	20.87%	-1.18%

GFAFX vs. VONG - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFAFX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VONG's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFAFX vs. VONG - Dividend Comparison

GFAFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.73%, more than VONG's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFAFX American Funds Growth Fund of America Class F-1	9.73%	10.75%	9.01%	7.41%	4.02%	8.16%	4.28%	7.14%	11.96%	6.98%	6.60%	8.86%
VONG Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.42%	0.45%	0.55%	0.71%	0.98%	0.58%	0.77%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.48%	1.47%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GFAFX and VONG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, GFAFX and VONG 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, GFAFX or VONG?

GFAFX has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to VONG (3.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFAFX dropped -51.87% vs VONG's -32.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VONG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.85), 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.