RWMBX vs. AWSHX

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

RWMBX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2) and AWSHX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - RWMBX is a Large Cap Value Equities 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, RWMBX returned 11.80%/yr vs 12.65%/yr for AWSHX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. RWMBX charges 1.35%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for AWSHX.

Performance

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2 (RWMBX) 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, RWMBX achieves a 7.17% return, which is significantly lower than AWSHX's 7.64% return. Over the past 10 years, RWMBX has underperformed AWSHX with an annualized return of 11.80%, while AWSHX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.65% annualized return.

RWMBX

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: 2.09%
• 6M: 5.41%
• YTD: 7.17%
• 1Y: 12.68%
• 3Y*: 15.83%
• 5Y*: 11.25%
• 10Y*: 11.80%
• ALL TIME*: 9.24%

AWSHX

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 2.15%
• 6M: 5.82%
• YTD: 7.64%
• 1Y: 13.59%
• 3Y*: 16.75%
• 5Y*: 12.14%
• 10Y*: 12.65%
• ALL TIME*: 10.14%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RWMBX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RWMBX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2	7.17%	16.27%	18.07%	16.30%	-9.18%	27.45%	6.87%	24.38%	-6.98%	19.06%
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	7.64%	17.20%	19.02%	17.21%	-8.45%	28.44%	7.69%	24.86%	-6.16%	20.03%

Correlation

The correlation between RWMBX and AWSHX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003	1.00

The correlation between RWMBX and AWSHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RWMBX vs. AWSHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RWMBX

RWMBX Risk / Return Rank: 40
RWMBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
RWMBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
RWMBX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
RWMBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
RWMBX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

AWSHX

AWSHX Risk / Return Rank: 39
AWSHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
AWSHX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
AWSHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
AWSHX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2 (RWMBX) 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.

	RWMBX	AWSHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.29	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	1.87	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.23	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	1.60	-0.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.33	6.90	-0.57

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RWMBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the AWSHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RWMBX 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

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RWMBX drawdown since its inception was -54.49%, roughly equal to the maximum AWSHX drawdown of -53.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RWMBX and AWSHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RWMBX	AWSHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.49%	-53.95%	-0.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.47%	-8.37%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-14.66%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.13%	-18.64%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.71%	-34.65%	-0.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.89%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.96%	-6.39%	-0.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.94%	+0.04%

Volatility

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2 (RWMBX) and American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A (AWSHX) have volatilities of 1.90% and 1.92%, 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

	RWMBX	AWSHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.90%	1.92%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	7.66%	0.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.45%	10.45%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.04%	14.04%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.28%	16.27%	+0.01%

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RWMBX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is higher than AWSHX's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

RWMBX vs. AWSHX - Dividend Comparison

RWMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.07%, less than AWSHX's 9.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWSHX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class A	9.61%	10.08%	10.06%	6.14%	6.31%	6.05%	3.06%	6.19%	4.36%	7.26%	6.37%	6.25%
RWMBX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2	9.07%	9.54%	9.49%	5.53%	5.60%	5.43%	2.41%	5.97%	3.51%	6.58%	5.68%	5.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RWMBX and AWSHX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, RWMBX and AWSHX 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, RWMBX or AWSHX?

AWSHX has higher volatility (1.92%) compared to RWMBX (1.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RWMBX dropped -54.49% vs AWSHX's -53.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AWSHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.29 vs 1.20), 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.