GWPAX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A (GWPAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
GWPAX is managed by American Funds. It was launched on May 18, 2012. VUG is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. It was launched on Nov 13, 2000.
Performance
GWPAX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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GWPAX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWPAX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A | -5.63% | 20.47% | 20.17% | 28.76% | -26.97% | 18.59% | 25.34% | 27.19% | -6.59% | 25.12% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -9.39% | 19.40% | 32.69% | 46.83% | -33.16% | 27.35% | 40.25% | 37.03% | -3.32% | 27.72% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GWPAX achieves a -5.63% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -9.39% return. Over the past 10 years, GWPAX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 11.87%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.16% annualized return.
GWPAX
- 1D
- 3.37%
- 1M
- -6.92%
- YTD
- -5.63%
- 6M
- -3.30%
- 1Y
- 19.12%
- 3Y*
- 17.31%
- 5Y*
- 7.65%
- 10Y*
- 11.87%
VUG
- 1D
- 1.09%
- 1M
- -4.37%
- YTD
- -9.39%
- 6M
- -8.17%
- 1Y
- 18.52%
- 3Y*
- 21.59%
- 5Y*
- 11.67%
- 10Y*
- 16.16%
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GWPAX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GWPAX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
GWPAX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
GWPAX
VUG
GWPAX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A (GWPAX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.
| GWPAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.05 | 0.82 | +0.23 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.60 | 1.32 | +0.28 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.19 | +0.04 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.65 | 1.19 | +0.47 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.68 | 4.15 | +2.53 |
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
| GWPAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.05 | 0.82 | +0.23 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 | 0.53 | -0.10 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.66 | 0.76 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.68 | 0.57 | +0.11 |
Correlation
The correlation between GWPAX and VUG is 0.93, 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
GWPAX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
GWPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, more than VUG's 0.45% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWPAX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A | 6.09% | 5.75% | 5.83% | 1.61% | 9.94% | 3.42% | 3.42% | 5.77% | 6.19% | 3.39% | 4.36% | 4.84% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.45% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Drawdowns
GWPAX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GWPAX drawdown since its inception was -34.15%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWPAX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GWPAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.15% | -50.68% | +16.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.78% | -16.53% | +4.75% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.15% | -35.61% | +1.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.15% | -35.61% | +1.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.81% | -12.25% | +3.44% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.77% | -7.13% | +1.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.91% | 4.72% | -1.81% |
Volatility
GWPAX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds Growth Portfolio Class A (GWPAX) is 6.61%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.12%. This indicates that GWPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GWPAX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.61% | 7.12% | -0.51% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.28% | 12.70% | -1.42% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.89% | 22.70% | -3.81% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.17% | 22.22% | -4.05% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.95% | 21.38% | -3.43% |