PRBLX vs. WSHFX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRBLX (Parnassus Core Equity Fund) and WSHFX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRBLX returned 13.61%/yr vs 12.72%/yr for WSHFX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRBLX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for WSHFX.

Performance

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1 (WSHFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRBLX achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly higher than WSHFX's 5.44% return. Over the past 10 years, PRBLX has outperformed WSHFX with an annualized return of 13.61%, while WSHFX has yielded a comparatively lower 12.72% annualized return.

PRBLX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.31%
• YTD: 6.62%
• 6M: 6.14%
• 1Y: 15.71%
• 3Y*: 16.52%
• 5Y*: 10.25%
• 10Y*: 13.61%

WSHFX

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 1.82%
• YTD: 5.44%
• 6M: 6.04%
• 1Y: 17.69%
• 3Y*: 18.02%
• 5Y*: 11.76%
• 10Y*: 12.72%

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

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRBLX Parnassus Core Equity Fund	6.62%	11.67%	18.58%	24.97%	-18.64%	27.59%	21.21%	30.68%	-0.30%	16.63%
WSHFX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1	5.44%	17.13%	18.94%	17.15%	-8.50%	28.36%	7.62%	24.82%	-6.27%	19.91%

Correlation

The correlation between PRBLX and WSHFX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2001	0.92

The correlation between PRBLX and WSHFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRBLX vs. WSHFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRBLX

PRBLX Risk / Return Rank: 19
PRBLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
PRBLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
PRBLX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
PRBLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
PRBLX Martin Ratio Rank: 20

WSHFX

WSHFX Risk / Return Rank: 38
WSHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
WSHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
WSHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
WSHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
WSHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1 (WSHFX). 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.

	PRBLX	WSHFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	1.78	-0.42
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	2.54	-0.58
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.32	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.42	2.22	-0.81
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.54	9.63	-4.08
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRBLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is comparable to the WSHFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRBLX and WSHFX, 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

	PRBLX	WSHFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	1.78	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.84	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.78	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.71	0.50	+0.21

Drawdowns

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRBLX drawdown since its inception was -42.20%, smaller than the maximum WSHFX drawdown of -53.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRBLX and WSHFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRBLX	WSHFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.20%	-53.94%	+11.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-8.38%	-3.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.31%	-14.65%	-1.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.31%	-18.69%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.09%	-34.67%	+4.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.29%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.05%	-7.34%	+3.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	1.94%	+1.03%

Volatility

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Volatility Comparison

Parnassus Core Equity Fund (PRBLX) has a higher volatility of 3.07% compared to American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1 (WSHFX) at 2.42%. This indicates that PRBLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WSHFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRBLX	WSHFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.07%	2.42%	+0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.12%	7.90%	+1.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.80%	10.33%	+1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.25%	14.10%	+2.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	16.33%	+0.94%

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRBLX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than WSHFX's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRBLX vs. WSHFX - Dividend Comparison

PRBLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 17.85%, more than WSHFX's 9.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRBLX Parnassus Core Equity Fund	17.85%	19.08%	10.00%	6.01%	10.13%	7.77%	5.87%	8.02%	9.64%	7.16%	3.80%	9.62%
WSHFX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class F-1	9.58%	10.08%	10.05%	6.11%	6.28%	6.01%	3.02%	6.17%	4.28%	7.19%	6.32%	6.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRBLX and WSHFX in my portfolio?

PRBLX and WSHFX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRBLX or WSHFX?

PRBLX has higher volatility (3.07%) compared to WSHFX (2.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRBLX dropped -42.20% vs WSHFX's -53.94%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.78 vs 1.36), 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.