GWPCX vs. VUG
Compare and contrast key facts about American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG).
GWPCX 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
GWPCX vs. VUG - Performance Comparison
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GWPCX vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C | -8.88% | 19.58% | 19.26% | 27.77% | -27.51% | 17.70% | 24.46% | 26.74% | -7.31% | 24.19% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | -10.37% | 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, GWPCX achieves a -8.88% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's -10.37% return. Over the past 10 years, GWPCX has underperformed VUG with an annualized return of 10.70%, while VUG has yielded a comparatively higher 16.03% annualized return.
GWPCX
- 1D
- -0.67%
- 1M
- -10.31%
- YTD
- -8.88%
- 6M
- -6.28%
- 1Y
- 15.00%
- 3Y*
- 15.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.48%
- 10Y*
- 10.70%
VUG
- 1D
- 4.00%
- 1M
- -5.12%
- YTD
- -10.37%
- 6M
- -8.73%
- 1Y
- 18.30%
- 3Y*
- 21.15%
- 5Y*
- 11.43%
- 10Y*
- 16.03%
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GWPCX vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison
GWPCX has a 1.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
GWPCX vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank
GWPCX
VUG
GWPCX vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) 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.
| GWPCX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.80 | 0.81 | -0.01 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.25 | 1.31 | -0.06 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.18 | -0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.03 | 1.11 | -0.09 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.22 | 3.96 | +0.27 |
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
| GWPCX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.80 | 0.81 | -0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.36 | 0.52 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.60 | 0.75 | -0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.62 | 0.57 | +0.04 |
Correlation
The correlation between GWPCX 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
GWPCX vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison
GWPCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.18%, more than VUG's 0.46% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GWPCX American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C | 6.18% | 5.63% | 5.59% | 0.96% | 9.93% | 3.48% | 3.04% | 5.54% | 5.45% | 2.73% | 3.67% | 4.25% |
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF | 0.46% | 0.41% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.70% | 0.48% | 0.66% | 0.95% | 1.32% | 1.14% | 1.39% | 1.30% |
Drawdowns
GWPCX vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GWPCX drawdown since its inception was -34.59%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GWPCX and VUG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GWPCX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.59% | -50.68% | +16.09% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.88% | -16.53% | +4.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.59% | -35.61% | +1.02% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.59% | -35.61% | +1.02% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.88% | -13.20% | +1.32% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.03% | -7.13% | +1.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.88% | 4.66% | -1.78% |
Volatility
GWPCX vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds Growth Portfolio Class C (GWPCX) is 5.34%, while Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) has a volatility of 7.00%. This indicates that GWPCX 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
| GWPCX | VUG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.34% | 7.00% | -1.66% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.73% | 12.65% | -1.92% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.58% | 22.68% | -4.10% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.11% | 22.23% | -4.12% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.93% | 21.38% | -3.45% |