IGIFX vs. FAOAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IGIFX (American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1) and FAOAX (Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, IGIFX returned 9.59%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for FAOAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IGIFX charges 0.93%/yr vs 1.43%/yr for FAOAX.

Performance

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

Over the past 10 years, IGIFX has outperformed FAOAX with an annualized return of 9.59%, while FAOAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.17% annualized return.

IGIFX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 4.83%
• YTD: 13.38%
• 6M: 16.05%
• 1Y: 30.25%
• 3Y*: 19.24%
• 5Y*: 8.60%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

FAOAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.00%
• 1Y: -1.81%
• 3Y*: 8.51%
• 5Y*: 3.41%
• 10Y*: 7.17%

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

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IGIFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1	13.38%	35.05%	3.30%	15.22%	-15.49%	9.79%	7.78%	27.09%	-14.43%	26.04%
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	0.00%	14.93%	4.63%	20.01%	-24.61%	18.90%	14.71%	27.39%	-15.10%	29.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IGIFX and FAOAX is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2008	0.91

Over the past year, the correlation between IGIFX and FAOAX has dropped to 0.52 - well below their long-term average of 0.91, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

IGIFX vs. FAOAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

IGIFX

IGIFX Risk / Return Rank: 55
IGIFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
IGIFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
IGIFX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IGIFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
IGIFX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

FAOAX

FAOAX Risk / Return Rank: 1
FAOAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
FAOAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Omega Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
FAOAX Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) and Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX). 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.

	IGIFX	FAOAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.28	-0.29	+2.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	-0.34	+3.55
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	0.95	+0.48
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	-0.37	+3.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.31	-0.63	+10.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGIFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is higher than the FAOAX Sharpe Ratio of -0.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGIFX and FAOAX, 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

	IGIFX	FAOAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.28	-0.29	+2.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.21	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.44	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.47	0.30	+0.17

Drawdowns

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGIFX drawdown since its inception was -35.79%, smaller than the maximum FAOAX drawdown of -60.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGIFX and FAOAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IGIFX	FAOAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.79%	-60.03%	+24.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.92%	-7.29%	-3.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.60%	-13.99%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.60%	-36.50%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.79%	-36.50%	+0.71%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-5.87%	+5.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-14.56%	+6.63%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.89%	3.98%	-1.09%

Volatility

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1 (IGIFX) has a higher volatility of 4.79% compared to Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A (FAOAX) at 0.00%. This indicates that IGIFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FAOAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IGIFX	FAOAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.79%	0.00%	+4.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.05%	4.08%	+6.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.14%	9.18%	+3.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.60%	16.72%	-2.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.91%	16.69%	-0.78%

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGIFX has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is lower than FAOAX's 1.43% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGIFX vs. FAOAX - Dividend Comparison

IGIFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.23%, less than FAOAX's 8.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAOAX Fidelity Advisor Overseas Fund Class A	8.54%	8.54%	1.33%	0.74%	0.38%	2.12%	0.00%	1.37%	4.64%	3.64%	1.75%	0.38%
IGIFX American Funds International Growth and Income Fund Class F-1	7.23%	8.10%	3.32%	2.28%	3.96%	6.88%	1.38%	2.38%	2.72%	1.80%	2.19%	3.20%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IGIFX and FAOAX in my portfolio?

IGIFX and FAOAX have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IGIFX or FAOAX?

IGIFX has higher volatility (4.79%) compared to FAOAX (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGIFX dropped -35.79% vs FAOAX's -60.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IGIFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs -0.29), 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.