PGWCX vs. AMRGX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

PGWCX (Virtus Focused Growth Fund) and AMRGX (American Growth Fund Series One) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PGWCX returned 18.45%/yr vs 12.25%/yr for AMRGX. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PGWCX charges 1.70%/yr vs 4.07%/yr for AMRGX.

Performance

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Focused Growth Fund (PGWCX) and American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PGWCX achieves a 5.67% return, which is significantly lower than AMRGX's 19.39% return. Over the past 10 years, PGWCX has outperformed AMRGX with an annualized return of 18.45%, while AMRGX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.25% annualized return.

PGWCX

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 2.20%
• YTD: 5.67%
• 6M: 5.32%
• 1Y: 22.37%
• 3Y*: 30.28%
• 5Y*: 16.59%
• 10Y*: 18.45%

AMRGX

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 4.33%
• YTD: 19.39%
• 6M: 17.67%
• 1Y: 38.83%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: 10.58%
• 10Y*: 12.25%

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

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PGWCX Virtus Focused Growth Fund	5.67%	19.31%	52.99%	52.26%	-34.89%	19.61%	47.57%	32.96%	-6.82%	30.45%
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	19.39%	11.18%	16.61%	24.38%	-19.93%	15.64%	18.65%	36.73%	-9.07%	13.37%

Correlation

The correlation between PGWCX and AMRGX is 0.60, 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	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 1996	0.83

Over the past year, the correlation between PGWCX and AMRGX has dropped to 0.60 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PGWCX vs. AMRGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PGWCX

PGWCX Risk / Return Rank: 22
PGWCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
PGWCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
PGWCX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
PGWCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
PGWCX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

AMRGX

AMRGX Risk / Return Rank: 41
AMRGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
AMRGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
AMRGX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AMRGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
AMRGX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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.

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Focused Growth Fund (PGWCX) and American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX). 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.

	PGWCX	AMRGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.37	1.49	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	2.25	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.39	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.38	2.86	-1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.02	6.97	-1.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PGWCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.37, which is comparable to the AMRGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PGWCX and AMRGX, 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

	PGWCX	AMRGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.37	1.49	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.48	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.57	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.12	+0.50

Drawdowns

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PGWCX drawdown since its inception was -67.19%, smaller than the maximum AMRGX drawdown of -80.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PGWCX and AMRGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PGWCX	AMRGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.19%	-80.32%	+13.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.31%	-13.98%	-2.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.02%	-21.15%	-8.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.09%	-35.42%	-3.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.09%	-35.42%	-3.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.21%	0.00%	-2.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.87%	-40.24%	+22.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.46%	5.66%	-1.20%

Volatility

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Focused Growth Fund (PGWCX) is 4.44%, while American Growth Fund Series One (AMRGX) has a volatility of 5.54%. This indicates that PGWCX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMRGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PGWCX	AMRGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	5.54%	-1.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.70%	24.94%	-12.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.39%	26.90%	-10.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.55%	22.21%	+4.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.45%	21.49%	+2.96%

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PGWCX has a 1.70% expense ratio, which is lower than AMRGX's 4.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

PGWCX vs. AMRGX - Dividend Comparison

PGWCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.13%, less than AMRGX's 14.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMRGX American Growth Fund Series One	14.93%	17.82%	12.39%	8.17%	7.77%	12.21%	2.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PGWCX Virtus Focused Growth Fund	13.13%	13.87%	24.05%	6.02%	15.19%	41.55%	15.72%	23.03%	20.78%	1.92%	3.51%	9.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PGWCX and AMRGX in my portfolio?

PGWCX and AMRGX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PGWCX or AMRGX?

AMRGX has higher volatility (5.54%) compared to PGWCX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PGWCX dropped -67.19% vs AMRGX's -80.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMRGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.37), 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.