PGGAX vs. VTWAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PGGAX (American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A) and VTWAX (Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Global Equities funds. PGGAX is actively managed, while VTWAX is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PGGAX returned 9.21%/yr vs 11.34%/yr for VTWAX. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. PGGAX charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VTWAX.

Performance

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PGGAX having a 13.11% return and VTWAX slightly higher at 13.15%.

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%

VTWAX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 13.15%
• 6M: 14.09%
• 1Y: 30.29%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 11.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PGGAX American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A	13.11%	23.05%	14.85%	24.09%	-25.77%	12.98%	27.38%	18.46%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	13.15%	22.43%	16.43%	21.85%	-18.02%	18.17%	16.67%	17.53%

Correlation

The correlation between PGGAX and VTWAX is 0.97 - 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	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.97

The correlation between PGGAX and VTWAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PGGAX vs. VTWAX — 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

VTWAX

VTWAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTWAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VTWAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VTWAX Omega Ratio Rank: 65
VTWAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTWAX Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTWAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) and Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX). 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	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.49	-0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	3.41	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.45	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.74	3.19	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.17	14.26	-2.09
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. VTWAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGGAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the VTWAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGGAX and VTWAX, 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	VTWAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.49	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.73	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.75	0.77	-0.02

Drawdowns

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGGAX drawdown since its inception was -34.41%, roughly equal to the maximum VTWAX drawdown of -34.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGGAX and VTWAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGGAX	VTWAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.41%	-34.20%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.30%	-9.64%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.99%	-16.43%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.41%	-26.40%	-8.01%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.41%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.91%	-5.30%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.54%	2.15%	+0.39%

Volatility

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Global Growth Portfolio Class A (PGGAX) has a higher volatility of 4.43% compared to Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) at 3.55%. This indicates that PGGAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTWAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGGAX	VTWAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.43%	3.55%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	9.82%	+1.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.27%	12.37%	+1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.06%	15.71%	+1.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	18.20%	-0.92%

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGGAX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than VTWAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGGAX vs. VTWAX - Dividend Comparison

PGGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.96%, more than VTWAX's 1.56% 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%
VTWAX Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.56%	1.80%	1.92%	2.06%	2.17%	1.79%	1.64%	2.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGGAX and VTWAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, PGGAX and VTWAX 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 VTWAX?

PGGAX has higher volatility (4.43%) compared to VTWAX (3.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGGAX dropped -34.41% vs VTWAX's -34.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTWAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.49 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.