RNPEX vs. GFFFX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

RNPEX (American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4) and GFFFX (American Funds The Growth Fund of America) are both mutual funds - RNPEX is a Global Equities fund actively managed by American Funds, while GFFFX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, RNPEX returned 13.35%/yr vs 16.07%/yr for GFFFX. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RNPEX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GFFFX.

Performance

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4 (RNPEX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RNPEX achieves a 7.09% return, which is significantly lower than GFFFX's 9.49% return. Over the past 10 years, RNPEX has underperformed GFFFX with an annualized return of 13.35%, while GFFFX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.07% annualized return.

RNPEX

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.98%
• YTD: 7.09%
• 6M: 7.83%
• 1Y: 19.99%
• 3Y*: 18.58%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: 13.35%

GFFFX

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 3.32%
• YTD: 9.49%
• 6M: 8.82%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 25.24%
• 5Y*: 12.35%
• 10Y*: 16.07%

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

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RNPEX American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4	7.09%	21.28%	16.71%	24.62%	-25.94%	17.60%	33.40%	30.05%	-6.03%	28.84%
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	9.49%	19.96%	28.28%	37.51%	-30.61%	19.55%	38.16%	28.43%	-2.96%	26.38%

Correlation

The correlation between RNPEX and GFFFX is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2009	0.95

The correlation between RNPEX and GFFFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RNPEX vs. GFFFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RNPEX

RNPEX Risk / Return Rank: 29
RNPEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
RNPEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
RNPEX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RNPEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
RNPEX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

GFFFX

GFFFX Risk / Return Rank: 33
GFFFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
GFFFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
GFFFX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
GFFFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
GFFFX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4 (RNPEX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX). 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.

	RNPEX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	1.67	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	2.30	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.30	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.71	1.84	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.20	7.19	+0.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RNPEX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is comparable to the GFFFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RNPEX and GFFFX, 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

	RNPEX	GFFFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.47	1.67	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.61	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75	0.82	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.81	-0.24

Drawdowns

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RNPEX drawdown since its inception was -52.36%, which is greater than GFFFX's maximum drawdown of -36.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RNPEX and GFFFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RNPEX	GFFFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.36%	-36.26%	-16.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.48%	-13.74%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.92%	-21.55%	+3.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.46%	-36.26%	+1.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.46%	-36.26%	+1.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.95%	+0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.96%	-5.57%	-2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.72%	3.51%	-0.79%

Volatility

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4 (RNPEX) and American Funds The Growth Fund of America (GFFFX) have volatilities of 3.97% and 3.81%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RNPEX	GFFFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.97%	3.81%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.77%	11.66%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	15.17%	-1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.20%	20.24%	-3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.83%	19.68%	-1.85%

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RNPEX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than GFFFX's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

RNPEX vs. GFFFX - Dividend Comparison

RNPEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.22%, less than GFFFX's 10.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFFFX American Funds The Growth Fund of America	10.00%	10.95%	9.23%	7.64%	4.32%	8.42%	4.51%	7.38%	12.29%	7.27%	6.87%	9.13%
RNPEX American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R4	6.22%	6.66%	5.20%	5.44%	4.18%	7.08%	4.18%	3.69%	7.63%	5.54%	3.89%	6.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RNPEX and GFFFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, RNPEX and GFFFX 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, RNPEX or GFFFX?

RNPEX has higher volatility (3.97%) compared to GFFFX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RNPEX dropped -52.36% vs GFFFX's -36.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GFFFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 1.47), 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.