GFFFX vs. AFTEX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GFFFX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America) and AFTEX (American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund) are both mutual funds - GFFFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Funds, while AFTEX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, GFFFX returned 16.07%/yr vs 2.19%/yr for AFTEX. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. GFFFX charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for AFTEX.

Performance

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX) and American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GFFFX achieves a 9.49% return, which is significantly higher than AFTEX's 1.66% return. Over the past 10 years, GFFFX has outperformed AFTEX with an annualized return of 16.07%, while AFTEX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.19% annualized return.

GFFFX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.82%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 25.24%
• 5Y*: 12.35%
• 10Y*: 16.07%

AFTEX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 1.66%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 6.85%
• 3Y*: 4.19%
• 5Y*: 0.95%
• 10Y*: 2.19%

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

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	9.49%	19.96%	28.28%	37.51%	-30.61%	19.55%	38.16%	28.43%	-2.96%	26.38%
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	1.66%	4.88%	2.28%	5.96%	-9.68%	1.87%	4.73%	7.42%	0.78%	5.83%

Correlation

The correlation between GFFFX and AFTEX is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	-0.07

The correlation between GFFFX and AFTEX shifts across timeframes, from -0.07 (all time) to 0.16 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GFFFX vs. AFTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFFFX

GFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
GFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
GFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
GFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

AFTEX

AFTEX Risk / Return Rank: 70
AFTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
AFTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
AFTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
AFTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AFTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

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.

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX) and American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX). 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.

	GFFFX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.65	-0.98
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	4.17	-1.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.65	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	2.52	-0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	8.82	-1.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFFFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the AFTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFFFX and AFTEX, 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

	GFFFX	AFTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.65	-0.98
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.25	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.58	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	1.43	-0.62

Drawdowns

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFFFX drawdown since its inception was -36.26%, which is greater than AFTEX's maximum drawdown of -14.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFFFX and AFTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFFFX	AFTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.26%	-14.55%	-21.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.74%	-2.76%	-10.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.55%	-5.21%	-16.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.26%	-14.55%	-21.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.26%	-14.55%	-21.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.95%	-0.34%	-0.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.57%	-1.66%	-3.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.51%	0.79%	+2.72%

Volatility

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX) has a higher volatility of 3.81% compared to American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund (AFTEX) at 1.06%. This indicates that GFFFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AFTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GFFFX	AFTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.81%	1.06%	+2.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.66%	2.00%	+9.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.17%	2.63%	+12.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.24%	3.76%	+16.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.68%	3.79%	+15.89%

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

GFFFX has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than AFTEX's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

GFFFX vs. AFTEX - Dividend Comparison

GFFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.00%, more than AFTEX's 3.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFTEX American Funds Tax Exempt Bond Fund	3.01%	3.98%	2.90%	2.22%	1.75%	2.31%	2.43%	2.83%	2.86%	3.30%	2.90%	3.21%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	10.00%	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 GFFFX and AFTEX in my portfolio?

GFFFX and AFTEX have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFFFX or AFTEX?

GFFFX has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to AFTEX (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFFFX dropped -36.26% vs AFTEX's -14.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AFTEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.67), 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.