RWMGX vs. BFMSX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RWMGX (American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6) and BFMSX (BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio) are both mutual funds - RWMGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Funds, while BFMSX is a Short-Term Bond fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, RWMGX returned 13.17%/yr vs 2.29%/yr for BFMSX. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RWMGX charges 0.27%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for BFMSX.

Performance

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6 (RWMGX) and BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (BFMSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RWMGX achieves a 5.55% return, which is significantly higher than BFMSX's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, RWMGX has outperformed BFMSX with an annualized return of 13.17%, while BFMSX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.29% annualized return.

RWMGX

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 5.55%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 17.43%
• 3Y*: 18.43%
• 5Y*: 12.03%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

BFMSX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.17%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.32%
• 1Y: 4.41%
• 3Y*: 5.02%
• 5Y*: 2.05%
• 10Y*: 2.29%

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

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RWMGX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6	5.55%	17.56%	19.35%	17.58%	-8.17%	28.84%	8.02%	25.78%	-5.91%	20.38%
BFMSX BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio	0.81%	6.20%	4.94%	4.96%	-5.34%	-0.33%	3.47%	4.75%	1.15%	1.98%

Correlation

The correlation between RWMGX and BFMSX is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.16
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2010	0.03

Over the past year, RWMGX and BFMSX have become more correlated (0.27) than their long-term average of 0.03, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

RWMGX vs. BFMSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RWMGX

RWMGX Risk / Return Rank: 35
RWMGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
RWMGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
RWMGX Omega Ratio Rank: 34
RWMGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
RWMGX Martin Ratio Rank: 43

BFMSX

BFMSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
BFMSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
BFMSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
BFMSX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
BFMSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
BFMSX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6 (RWMGX) and BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (BFMSX). 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.

	RWMGX	BFMSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.14	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	3.94	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.57	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.09	2.98	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.06	13.58	-4.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RWMGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the BFMSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RWMGX and BFMSX, 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

	RWMGX	BFMSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	2.14	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.88	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	1.09	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	1.60	-0.78

Drawdowns

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RWMGX drawdown since its inception was -34.64%, which is greater than BFMSX's maximum drawdown of -12.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RWMGX and BFMSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RWMGX	BFMSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.64%	-12.70%	-21.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.35%	-1.52%	-6.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.61%	-1.52%	-13.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.46%	-7.96%	-10.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.64%	-7.96%	-26.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.11%	-0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.12%	-0.82%	-2.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	0.33%	+1.59%

Volatility

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6 (RWMGX) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio (BFMSX) at 0.65%. This indicates that RWMGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BFMSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RWMGX	BFMSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	0.65%	+1.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.81%	1.65%	+6.16%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.32%	2.12%	+8.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.10%	2.35%	+11.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.32%	2.11%	+14.21%

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RWMGX has a 0.27% expense ratio, which is lower than BFMSX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

RWMGX vs. BFMSX - Dividend Comparison

RWMGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.86%, more than BFMSX's 4.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BFMSX BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio	4.67%	4.56%	4.14%	3.34%	2.67%	1.23%	2.04%	2.63%	2.51%	2.17%	1.76%	1.87%
RWMGX American Funds Washington Mutual Investors Fund Class R-6	9.86%	10.36%	10.36%	6.42%	6.63%	6.33%	3.35%	6.91%	4.67%	7.52%	6.66%	6.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RWMGX and BFMSX in my portfolio?

RWMGX and BFMSX have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RWMGX or BFMSX?

RWMGX has higher volatility (2.38%) compared to BFMSX (0.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RWMGX dropped -34.64% vs BFMSX's -12.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BFMSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 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.