STSGX vs. AVFIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

STSGX (American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund) and AVFIX (American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund) are both mutual funds - STSGX is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund managed by American Beacon, while AVFIX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by American Beacon. Over the past 10 years, STSGX returned 12.29%/yr vs 10.66%/yr for AVFIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. STSGX charges 1.30%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for AVFIX.

Performance

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (STSGX) and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (AVFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, STSGX achieves a 14.69% return, which is significantly lower than AVFIX's 24.58% return. Over the past 10 years, STSGX has outperformed AVFIX with an annualized return of 12.29%, while AVFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 10.66% annualized return.

STSGX

• 1D: 2.22%
• 1M: 1.77%
• YTD: 14.69%
• 6M: 11.63%
• 1Y: 30.13%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 6.03%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

AVFIX

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 4.67%
• YTD: 24.58%
• 6M: 22.03%
• 1Y: 41.24%
• 3Y*: 15.87%
• 5Y*: 10.24%
• 10Y*: 10.66%

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

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STSGX American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund	14.69%	11.67%	15.45%	19.21%	-28.91%	14.26%	37.45%	22.54%	1.72%	19.23%
AVFIX American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund	24.58%	4.91%	7.48%	16.76%	-8.03%	28.32%	4.05%	23.52%	-15.78%	8.74%

Correlation

The correlation between STSGX and AVFIX is 0.80, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2005	0.87

The correlation between STSGX and AVFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STSGX vs. AVFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

STSGX

STSGX Risk / Return Rank: 33
STSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
STSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
STSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 26
STSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
STSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

AVFIX

AVFIX Risk / Return Rank: 73
AVFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
AVFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
AVFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 56
AVFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
AVFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (STSGX) and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (AVFIX). 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.

	STSGX	AVFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.47	2.21	-0.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.10	3.16	-1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.38	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	4.52	-2.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	13.90	-5.74

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STSGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.47, which is lower than the AVFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STSGX and AVFIX, 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

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STSGX drawdown since its inception was -56.50%, smaller than the maximum AVFIX drawdown of -61.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STSGX and AVFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	STSGX	AVFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.50%	-61.40%	+4.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.89%	-9.17%	-3.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.81%	-28.94%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.43%	-28.94%	-8.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.66%	-49.78%	+12.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.78%	+0.49%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.70%	-9.19%	-2.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.64%	2.98%	+0.66%

Volatility

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Volatility Comparison

American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (STSGX) has a higher volatility of 7.30% compared to American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (AVFIX) at 5.59%. This indicates that STSGX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AVFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STSGX	AVFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.30%	5.59%	+1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.33%	12.77%	+2.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.27%	18.75%	+1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.06%	22.48%	+0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.85%	24.55%	-1.70%

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

STSGX has a 1.30% expense ratio, which is higher than AVFIX's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

STSGX vs. AVFIX - Dividend Comparison

STSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.05%, more than AVFIX's 8.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AVFIX American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund	8.59%	10.70%	8.67%	4.91%	17.72%	11.86%	0.88%	1.84%	15.05%	9.66%	3.04%	6.00%
STSGX American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund	10.05%	11.53%	8.27%	1.52%	15.04%	23.70%	11.41%	11.76%	45.22%	3.68%	0.88%	5.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STSGX and AVFIX in my portfolio?

STSGX and AVFIX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STSGX or AVFIX?

STSGX has higher volatility (7.30%) compared to AVFIX (5.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STSGX dropped -56.50% vs AVFIX's -61.40%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AVFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 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.