RWMBX vs. RIDAX

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

RWMBX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2) and RIDAX (The Income Fund of America Class R-1) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds from American Funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 10 years, RWMBX returned 11.80%/yr vs 7.35%/yr for RIDAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RWMBX charges 1.35%/yr vs 1.36%/yr for RIDAX.

Performance

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - 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 The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX). 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 RWMBX having a 7.17% return and RIDAX slightly lower at 6.87%. Over the past 10 years, RWMBX has outperformed RIDAX with an annualized return of 11.80%, while RIDAX has yielded a comparatively lower 7.35% 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%

RIDAX

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: 1.67%
• 6M: 3.20%
• YTD: 6.87%
• 1Y: 12.28%
• 3Y*: 11.82%
• 5Y*: 7.24%
• 10Y*: 7.35%
• ALL TIME*: 8.24%

*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)
RIDAX The Income Fund of America Class R-1	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
RWMBX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - 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%
RIDAX The Income Fund of America Class R-1	6.87%	16.83%	9.49%	6.16%	-7.14%	16.47%	3.68%	17.57%	-6.06%	11.86%

Correlation

The correlation between RWMBX and RIDAX is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2003	0.93

The correlation between RWMBX and RIDAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RWMBX vs. RIDAX — 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

RIDAX

RIDAX Risk / Return Rank: 57
RIDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
RIDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
RIDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
RIDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
RIDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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. RIDAX - 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 The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX). 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	RIDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.20	1.62	-0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.75	2.33	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.29	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	1.94	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.33	6.89	-0.55

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RWMBX Sharpe Ratio is 1.20, which is comparable to the RIDAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RWMBX and RIDAX, 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. RIDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RWMBX drawdown since its inception was -54.49%, which is greater than RIDAX's maximum drawdown of -42.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RWMBX and RIDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RWMBX	RIDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.49%	-42.37%	-12.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.47%	-6.13%	-2.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-8.71%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.13%	-16.28%	-2.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.71%	-26.22%	-8.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.89%	-0.58%	-0.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.96%	-4.38%	-2.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.98%	1.73%	+0.25%

Volatility

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-2 (RWMBX) and The Income Fund of America Class R-1 (RIDAX) have volatilities of 1.90% and 1.83%, 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	RIDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.90%	1.83%	+0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.66%	5.77%	+1.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.45%	7.38%	+3.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.04%	9.45%	+4.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.28%	10.64%	+5.64%

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RWMBX has a 1.35% expense ratio, which is lower than RIDAX's 1.36% expense ratio.

Dividends

RWMBX vs. RIDAX - Dividend Comparison

RWMBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.07%, more than RIDAX's 8.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RIDAX The Income Fund of America Class R-1	8.68%	9.24%	5.14%	2.38%	6.20%	5.92%	2.09%	4.25%	6.58%	3.68%	2.32%	4.26%
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 RIDAX in my portfolio?

RWMBX and RIDAX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RWMBX or RIDAX?

RWMBX has higher volatility (1.90%) compared to RIDAX (1.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RWMBX dropped -54.49% vs RIDAX's -42.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RIDAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 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.