VWINX vs. AMECX

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

VWINX (Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares) and AMECX (American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, VWINX returned 5.77%/yr vs 8.39%/yr for AMECX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VWINX charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for AMECX.

Performance

VWINX vs. AMECX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VWINX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWINX achieves a 3.39% return, which is significantly lower than AMECX's 5.48% return. Over the past 10 years, VWINX has underperformed AMECX with an annualized return of 5.77%, while AMECX has yielded a comparatively higher 8.39% annualized return.

VWINX

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 1.12%
• YTD: 3.39%
• 6M: 3.55%
• 1Y: 10.49%
• 3Y*: 8.40%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 10Y*: 5.77%

AMECX

• 1D: -0.40%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: 5.48%
• 6M: 6.05%
• 1Y: 14.23%
• 3Y*: 12.78%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

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

VWINX vs. AMECX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWINX Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares	3.39%	10.98%	5.86%	6.99%	-9.09%	8.48%	8.44%	16.39%	-2.54%	9.29%
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	5.48%	17.77%	10.84%	6.79%	-6.40%	17.37%	4.49%	18.50%	-5.27%	12.58%

Correlation

The correlation between VWINX and AMECX is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1980	0.81

The correlation between VWINX and AMECX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWINX vs. AMECX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWINX

VWINX Risk / Return Rank: 56
VWINX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VWINX Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VWINX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
VWINX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VWINX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

AMECX

AMECX Risk / Return Rank: 49
AMECX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
AMECX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
AMECX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
AMECX Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
AMECX 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.

VWINX vs. AMECX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VWINX) and American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX). 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.

	VWINX	AMECX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.93	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.73	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.35	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.53	2.33	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.52	8.61	+0.91

VWINX vs. AMECX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWINX Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the AMECX Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWINX and AMECX, 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

VWINX vs. AMECX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWINX drawdown since its inception was -21.72%, smaller than the maximum AMECX drawdown of -41.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWINX and AMECX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWINX	AMECX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.72%	-41.92%	+20.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.16%	-6.13%	+1.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.98%	-8.58%	+1.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.30%	-15.78%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-17.43%	-26.13%	+8.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-2.02%	+1.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.63%	-4.45%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.10%	1.66%	-0.56%

Volatility

VWINX vs. AMECX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares (VWINX) is 1.63%, while American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A (AMECX) has a volatility of 2.30%. This indicates that VWINX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AMECX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWINX	AMECX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.63%	2.30%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.92%	5.82%	-1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.20%	7.41%	-2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.99%	9.47%	-2.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.93%	10.69%	-3.76%

VWINX vs. AMECX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWINX has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than AMECX's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWINX vs. AMECX - Dividend Comparison

VWINX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.64%, less than AMECX's 9.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMECX American Funds The Income Fund of America Class A	9.55%	9.94%	6.38%	2.93%	6.98%	6.67%	2.80%	5.01%	7.48%	4.26%	3.09%	5.09%
VWINX Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund Investor Shares	8.64%	7.86%	6.61%	4.73%	7.67%	6.03%	4.30%	3.94%	7.56%	3.20%	4.00%	5.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWINX and AMECX in my portfolio?

VWINX and AMECX have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWINX or AMECX?

AMECX has higher volatility (2.30%) compared to VWINX (1.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWINX dropped -21.72% vs AMECX's -41.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWINX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.93), 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.