RERFX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RERFX (American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - RERFX is a REIT fund managed by American Funds, while AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, RERFX returned 9.15%/yr vs 12.84%/yr for AWSHX. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RERFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RERFX achieves a 12.30% return, which is significantly higher than AWSHX's 5.89% return. Over the past 10 years, RERFX has underperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 9.15%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.84% annualized return.

RERFX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 6.74%
• YTD: 12.30%
• 6M: 15.02%
• 1Y: 29.33%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 5.89%
• 6M: 6.02%
• 1Y: 17.56%
• 3Y*: 18.25%
• 5Y*: 11.92%
• 10Y*: 12.84%

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

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	12.30%	29.26%	2.96%	16.02%	-22.81%	2.81%	25.20%	27.36%	-17.37%	31.10%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.89%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between RERFX and AWSHX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2002	0.76

The correlation between RERFX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RERFX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RERFX

RERFX Risk / Return Rank: 40
RERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
RERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
RERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
RERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
RERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 38
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 37
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AWSHX 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.

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). 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.

	RERFX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.78	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.53	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	2.19	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.71	9.46	-0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RERFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RERFX and AWSHX, 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

	RERFX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	1.78	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.85	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.79	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.63	-0.19

Drawdowns

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RERFX drawdown since its inception was -53.80%, roughly equal to the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RERFX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RERFX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.80%	-53.95%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.53%	-8.37%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	-14.66%	-0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.32%	-18.64%	-18.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-34.65%	-2.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.02%	-6.41%	-4.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	1.93%	+1.39%

Volatility

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) at 2.41%. This indicates that RERFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AWSHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RERFX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	2.41%	+2.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.93%	7.89%	+5.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	10.31%	+5.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	14.10%	+2.57%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	16.33%	+0.61%

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RERFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

RERFX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

RERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.41%, more than AWSHX's 9.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.55%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	12.41%	13.93%	4.90%	3.90%	1.98%	10.14%	0.38%	3.10%	3.11%	4.94%	1.58%	3.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RERFX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

RERFX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RERFX or AWSHX?

RERFX has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to AWSHX (2.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RERFX dropped -53.80% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.78), 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.