MDFGX vs. AGTHX
MDFGX (BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund) and AGTHX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MDFGX returned 17.01%/yr vs 16.28%/yr for AGTHX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MDFGX charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for AGTHX.
Performance
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MDFGX achieves a 11.44% return, which is significantly higher than AGTHX's 8.72% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MDFGX having a 17.01% annualized return and AGTHX not far behind at 16.28%.
MDFGX
- 1D
- 1.39%
- 1M
- 0.81%
- YTD
- 11.44%
- 6M
- 10.77%
- 1Y
- 24.14%
- 3Y*
- 23.18%
- 5Y*
- 10.90%
- 10Y*
- 17.01%
AGTHX
- 1D
- -0.52%
- 1M
- 1.96%
- YTD
- 8.72%
- 6M
- 7.83%
- 1Y
- 22.79%
- 3Y*
- 23.94%
- 5Y*
- 11.48%
- 10Y*
- 16.28%
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MDFGX BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | 11.44% | 12.63% | 31.58% | 48.77% | -37.83% | 20.78% | 40.16% | 31.89% | 1.81% | 32.37% |
AGTHX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A | 8.72% | 19.73% | 28.02% | 37.22% | -30.75% | 19.32% | 37.83% | 28.16% | -3.15% | 26.14% |
Correlation
The correlation between MDFGX and AGTHX is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.94 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 1996 | 0.92 |
The correlation between MDFGX and AGTHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
MDFGX vs. AGTHX — Risk / Return Rank
MDFGX
AGTHX
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (MDFGX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A (AGTHX). 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.
| MDFGX | AGTHX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.28 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.23 | 1.27 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.41 | 1.75 | -0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.70 | 6.69 | -1.99 |
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Drawdowns
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MDFGX drawdown since its inception was -47.99%, smaller than the maximum AGTHX drawdown of -51.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MDFGX and AGTHX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MDFGX | AGTHX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -47.99% | -51.91% | +3.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.74% | -13.76% | -2.98% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -24.43% | -21.57% | -2.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -42.49% | -36.38% | -6.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.49% | -36.38% | -6.11% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.63% | -1.56% | -2.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.21% | -9.19% | -2.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.02% | 3.60% | +1.42% |
Volatility
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Volatility Comparison
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund (MDFGX) has a higher volatility of 7.24% compared to American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A (AGTHX) at 6.79%. This indicates that MDFGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AGTHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MDFGX | AGTHX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.24% | 6.79% | +0.45% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.73% | 13.02% | +1.71% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.36% | 16.31% | +2.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.60% | 20.43% | +3.17% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.60% | 19.78% | +2.82% |
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Expense Ratio Comparison
MDFGX has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than AGTHX's 0.59% expense ratio.
Dividends
MDFGX vs. AGTHX - Dividend Comparison
MDFGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.51%, more than AGTHX's 9.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGTHX American Funds The Growth Fund of America Class A | 9.84% | 10.69% | 8.99% | 7.40% | 4.05% | 8.18% | 4.30% | 7.15% | 11.99% | 7.03% | 6.61% | 8.87% |
MDFGX BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | 17.51% | 19.51% | 12.73% | 3.59% | 9.46% | 12.95% | 5.46% | 10.67% | 14.31% | 12.51% | 4.01% | 11.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, MDFGX and AGTHX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
MDFGX has higher volatility (7.24%) compared to AGTHX (6.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MDFGX dropped -47.99% vs AGTHX's -51.91%.
AGTHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.29), 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.
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