PGGAX vs. RFNGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PGGAX (American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A) and RFNGX (American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6) are both mutual funds - PGGAX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while RFNGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, PGGAX returned 12.55%/yr vs 15.16%/yr for RFNGX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGGAX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for RFNGX.

Performance

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) and American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6 (RFNGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGGAX achieves a 13.11% return, which is significantly lower than RFNGX's 15.28% return. Over the past 10 years, PGGAX has underperformed RFNGX with an annualized return of 12.55%, while RFNGX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.16% annualized return.

PGGAX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 6.17%
• YTD: 13.11%
• 6M: 14.32%
• 1Y: 30.51%
• 3Y*: 20.86%
• 5Y*: 9.21%
• 10Y*: 12.55%

RFNGX

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 5.92%
• YTD: 15.28%
• 6M: 16.31%
• 1Y: 34.94%
• 3Y*: 26.36%
• 5Y*: 15.21%
• 10Y*: 15.16%

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

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGGAX American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A	13.11%	23.05%	14.85%	24.09%	-25.77%	12.98%	27.38%	27.93%	-8.97%	28.63%
RFNGX American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6	15.28%	24.58%	22.77%	26.25%	-16.38%	22.83%	13.72%	27.48%	-7.09%	23.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PGGAX and RFNGX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 22, 2012	0.95

The correlation between PGGAX and RFNGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGGAX vs. RFNGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGGAX

PGGAX Risk / Return Rank: 54
PGGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PGGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
PGGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
PGGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
PGGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

RFNGX

RFNGX Risk / Return Rank: 76
RFNGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
RFNGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
RFNGX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
RFNGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RFNGX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) and American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6 (RFNGX). 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.

	PGGAX	RFNGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.61	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.50	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.47	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	3.38	-0.64
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.17	15.68	-3.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGGAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the RFNGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGGAX and RFNGX, 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

	PGGAX	RFNGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.61	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.91	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.86	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.80	-0.05

Drawdowns

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGGAX drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, roughly equal to the maximum RFNGX drawdown of -33.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGGAX and RFNGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGGAX	RFNGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-33.90%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-10.62%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-17.92%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-24.88%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	-33.90%	-0.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.91%	-4.02%	-1.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.29%	+0.25%

Volatility

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6 (RFNGX) at 3.68%. This indicates that PGGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than RFNGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGGAX	RFNGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	3.68%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	10.81%	+0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.27%	13.75%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.06%	16.81%	+0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	17.73%	-0.45%

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGGAX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than RFNGX's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGGAX vs. RFNGX - Dividend Comparison

PGGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, less than RFNGX's 7.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PGGAX American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A	4.96%	5.61%	4.31%	0.95%	7.97%	3.34%	0.78%	4.90%	5.69%	6.22%	3.70%	3.98%
RFNGX American Funds Fundamental Investors Fund Class R6	7.68%	8.82%	8.91%	6.10%	5.33%	11.29%	1.77%	7.21%	10.67%	7.56%	5.01%	6.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGGAX and RFNGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, PGGAX and RFNGX 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, PGGAX or RFNGX?

PGGAX has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to RFNGX (3.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGGAX dropped -34.41% vs RFNGX's -33.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RFNGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 2.17), 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.