RGBFX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

RGBFX (American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - RGBFX is a Global Allocation fund actively managed by American Funds, while AWSHX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RGBFX returned 7.24%/yr vs 12.86%/yr for AWSHX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RGBFX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5 (RGBFX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with RGBFX having a 6.00% return and AWSHX slightly lower at 5.96%. Over the past 10 years, RGBFX has underperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 7.24%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.86% annualized return.

RGBFX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 6.00%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 16.37%
• 3Y*: 12.01%
• 5Y*: 6.33%
• 10Y*: 7.24%

AWSHX

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 5.96%
• 6M: 5.54%
• 1Y: 17.84%
• 3Y*: 17.37%
• 5Y*: 12.61%
• 10Y*: 12.86%

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

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RGBFX American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5	6.00%	17.44%	6.86%	14.06%	-14.01%	9.50%	10.80%	17.55%	-5.86%	14.33%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	5.96%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between RGBFX and AWSHX is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2012	0.86

The correlation between RGBFX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RGBFX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RGBFX

RGBFX Risk / Return Rank: 48
RGBFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
RGBFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
RGBFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
RGBFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
RGBFX Martin Ratio Rank: 54

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 40
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5 (RGBFX) 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RGBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	1.69	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	2.42	+0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.31	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.39	2.13	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.25	9.17	+1.07

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RGBFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RGBFX 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.

Drawdowns

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RGBFX drawdown since its inception was -23.31%, smaller than the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RGBFX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RGBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.31%	-53.95%	+30.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.73%	-8.37%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.76%	-14.66%	+5.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.33%	-18.64%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.31%	-34.65%	+11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.03%	-0.56%	-0.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-6.41%	+3.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.57%	1.94%	-0.37%

Volatility

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5 (RGBFX) has a higher volatility of 3.22% compared to American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) at 2.94%. This indicates that RGBFX'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

	RGBFX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.22%	2.94%	+0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.28%	8.07%	-0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.62%	10.52%	-1.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.98%	14.11%	-4.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.48%	16.34%	-5.86%

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RGBFX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is lower than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

RGBFX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

RGBFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.11%, less than AWSHX's 9.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.77%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
RGBFX American Funds Global Balanced Fund Class R5	6.11%	6.59%	5.82%	1.88%	1.82%	6.32%	1.50%	2.13%	2.59%	3.42%	2.26%	3.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RGBFX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

RGBFX and AWSHX have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RGBFX or AWSHX?

RGBFX has higher volatility (3.22%) compared to AWSHX (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RGBFX dropped -23.31% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RGBFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.87 vs 1.69), 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.