NBARX vs. AMECX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NBARX (American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate) and AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, NBARX returned 7.13%/yr vs 8.51%/yr for AMECX. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. NBARX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for AMECX.

Performance

NBARX vs. AMECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBARX achieves a 5.51% return, which is significantly lower than AMECX's 6.34% return. Over the past 10 years, NBARX has underperformed AMECX with an annualized return of 7.13%, while AMECX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.51% annualized return.

NBARX

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 2.13%
• YTD: 5.51%
• 6M: 6.11%
• 1Y: 15.17%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 6.40%
• 10Y*: 7.13%

AMECX

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 6.34%
• 6M: 7.37%
• 1Y: 15.78%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 7.77%
• 10Y*: 8.51%

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

NBARX vs. AMECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NBARX American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate	5.51%	15.67%	9.16%	9.25%	-10.06%	12.14%	7.41%	15.42%	-3.81%	11.18%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	6.34%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%

Correlation

The correlation between NBARX and AMECX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.96

The correlation between NBARX and AMECX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NBARX vs. AMECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBARX

NBARX Risk / Return Rank: 60
NBARX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
NBARX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
NBARX Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NBARX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
NBARX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 53
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
AMECX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

NBARX vs. AMECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). 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.

	NBARX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	2.24	+0.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	3.16	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.41	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	2.62	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	9.88	+1.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NBARX vs. AMECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the AMECX Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBARX and AMECX, 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

	NBARX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	2.24	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.83	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.80	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.72	+0.18

Drawdowns

NBARX vs. AMECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBARX drawdown since its inception was -18.50%, smaller than the maximum AMECX drawdown of -41.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBARX and AMECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBARX	AMECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-41.92%	+23.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-6.13%	+0.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.90%	-8.58%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.86%	-15.78%	-1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.50%	-26.13%	+7.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.23%	+1.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.68%	-4.45%	+1.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	1.62%	-0.23%

Volatility

NBARX vs. AMECX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) have volatilities of 2.12% and 2.06%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBARX	AMECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	2.06%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.20%	5.63%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.41%	7.17%	-0.76%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.97%	9.45%	-1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.23%	10.68%	-2.45%

NBARX vs. AMECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBARX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than AMECX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBARX vs. AMECX - Dividend Comparison

NBARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, less than AMECX's 9.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.41%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
NBARX American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate	4.90%	5.69%	3.25%	3.46%	5.04%	3.48%	3.97%	3.87%	3.89%	2.50%	2.55%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBARX and AMECX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, NBARX and AMECX 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.

Which is riskier, NBARX or AMECX?

NBARX has higher volatility (2.12%) compared to AMECX (2.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBARX dropped -18.50% vs AMECX's -41.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NBARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.24), 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.