NBARX vs. MGK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NBARX (American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate) and MGK (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF) are both funds - NBARX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by American Funds, while MGK is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index. Over the past 10 years, NBARX returned 7.13%/yr vs 19.24%/yr for MGK. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. NBARX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for MGK.

Performance

NBARX vs. MGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK). 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 MGK's 10.01% return. Over the past 10 years, NBARX has underperformed MGK with an annualized return of 7.13%, while MGK has yielded a comparatively higher 19.24% 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%

MGK

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 7.26%
• YTD: 10.01%
• 6M: 9.45%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 26.77%
• 5Y*: 16.25%
• 10Y*: 19.24%

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

NBARX vs. MGK - 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%
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	10.01%	20.67%	32.94%	51.67%	-33.59%	28.58%	41.01%	37.38%	-2.91%	29.49%

Correlation

The correlation between NBARX and MGK is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.73

The correlation between NBARX and MGK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

NBARX vs. MGK — 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

MGK

MGK Risk / Return Rank: 45
MGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
MGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
MGK Omega Ratio Rank: 50
MGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
MGK Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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. MGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) and Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK). 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	MGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	1.86	+0.55
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	2.53	+0.86
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.32	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	1.79	+0.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	6.15	+4.93
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. MGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBARX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is comparable to the MGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBARX and MGK, 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	MGK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	1.86	+0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.72	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87	0.88	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.66	+0.25

Drawdowns

NBARX vs. MGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBARX drawdown since its inception was -18.50%, smaller than the maximum MGK drawdown of -47.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBARX and MGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBARX	MGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-47.97%	+29.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.10%	-16.85%	+10.75%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.90%	-23.36%	+16.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.86%	-36.01%	+19.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.50%	-36.01%	+17.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.43%	+1.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.68%	-7.47%	+4.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.39%	4.89%	-3.50%

Volatility

NBARX vs. MGK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio - Moderate (NBARX) is 2.12%, while Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF (MGK) has a volatility of 4.01%. This indicates that NBARX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBARX	MGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.12%	4.01%	-1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.20%	12.37%	-7.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.41%	16.23%	-9.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.97%	22.63%	-14.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.23%	21.88%	-13.65%

NBARX vs. MGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBARX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than MGK's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBARX vs. MGK - Dividend Comparison

NBARX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.90%, more than MGK's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MGK Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF	0.32%	0.35%	0.43%	0.50%	0.70%	0.41%	0.65%	0.85%	1.12%	1.23%	1.53%	1.43%
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 MGK in my portfolio?

NBARX and MGK have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NBARX or MGK?

MGK has higher volatility (4.01%) compared to NBARX (2.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBARX dropped -18.50% vs MGK's -47.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NBARX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.86), 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.