IGFFX vs. GFFFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IGFFX (American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2) and GFFFX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2) are both mutual funds - IGFFX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while GFFFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGFFX returned 10.54%/yr vs 16.52%/yr for GFFFX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGFFX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GFFFX.

Performance

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2 (IGFFX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGFFX achieves a 13.75% return, which is significantly higher than GFFFX's 8.83% return. Over the past 10 years, IGFFX has underperformed GFFFX with an annualized return of 10.54%, while GFFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.52% annualized return.

IGFFX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 2.16%
• YTD: 13.75%
• 6M: 13.58%
• 1Y: 30.52%
• 3Y*: 19.42%
• 5Y*: 9.27%
• 10Y*: 10.54%

GFFFX

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 8.83%
• 6M: 7.92%
• 1Y: 23.03%
• 3Y*: 24.19%
• 5Y*: 11.70%
• 10Y*: 16.52%

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

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGFFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2	13.75%	35.43%	3.56%	15.57%	-15.26%	10.11%	8.06%	27.41%	-14.18%	26.33%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2	8.83%	19.96%	28.28%	37.51%	-30.61%	19.55%	38.16%	28.43%	-2.96%	26.38%

Correlation

The correlation between IGFFX and GFFFX is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2009	0.78

The correlation between IGFFX and GFFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IGFFX vs. GFFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGFFX

IGFFX Risk / Return Rank: 64
IGFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
IGFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IGFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IGFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
IGFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 56

GFFFX

GFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 30
GFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
GFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
GFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
GFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2 (IGFFX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IGFFX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	1.49	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.06	+1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.27	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	1.77	+1.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.67	6.78	+3.89

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGFFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is higher than the GFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGFFX and GFFFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGFFX drawdown since its inception was -35.76%, roughly equal to the maximum GFFFX drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGFFX and GFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGFFX	GFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.76%	-36.26%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.89%	-13.74%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.59%	-21.55%	+8.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-36.26%	+6.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.76%	-36.26%	+0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-1.55%	+1.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.73%	-5.56%	-2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	3.58%	-0.67%

Volatility

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2 (IGFFX) is 5.37%, while American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2 (GFFFX) has a volatility of 6.79%. This indicates that IGFFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GFFFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGFFX	GFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.37%	6.79%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.05%	13.02%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.93%	16.31%	-2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.75%	20.43%	-5.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.93%	19.78%	-3.85%

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGFFX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than GFFFX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGFFX vs. GFFFX - Dividend Comparison

IGFFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.02%, less than GFFFX's 10.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class F-2	10.06%	10.95%	9.23%	7.64%	4.32%	8.42%	4.51%	7.38%	12.29%	7.27%	6.87%	9.13%
IGFFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-2	7.02%	8.38%	3.65%	2.55%	4.28%	7.18%	1.60%	2.62%	3.06%	2.04%	2.59%	3.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGFFX and GFFFX in my portfolio?

IGFFX and GFFFX have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGFFX or GFFFX?

GFFFX has higher volatility (6.79%) compared to IGFFX (5.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGFFX dropped -35.76% vs GFFFX's -36.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 1.49), 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.