ACHFX vs. PYHRX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ACHFX (American Century High Income Fund Class G) and PYHRX (Payden High Income Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 3 years, ACHFX returned 9.16%/yr vs 38.08%/yr for PYHRX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure.

Performance

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century High Income Fund Class G (ACHFX) and Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ACHFX achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly lower than PYHRX's 2.44% return.

ACHFX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 1.44%
• 6M: 2.29%
• 1Y: 7.57%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

PYHRX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 2.44%
• 6M: 2.78%
• 1Y: 7.99%
• 3Y*: 38.08%
• 5Y*: 20.51%
• 10Y*: 13.79%

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

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ACHFX American Century High Income Fund Class G	1.44%	9.62%	8.18%	12.56%	-1.92%
PYHRX Payden High Income Fund	2.44%	117.46%	8.13%	14.73%	0.43%

Correlation

The correlation between ACHFX and PYHRX is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2022	0.86

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

Return for Risk

ACHFX vs. PYHRX — Risk / Return Rank

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

ACHFX

ACHFX Risk / Return Rank: 80
ACHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
ACHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ACHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ACHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
ACHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PYHRX

PYHRX Risk / Return Rank: 94
PYHRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PYHRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
PYHRX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PYHRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
PYHRX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century High Income Fund Class G (ACHFX) and Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX). 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.

	ACHFX	PYHRX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	3.28	-1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	5.11	-1.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.52	1.75	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	4.05	-0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	21.62	-6.02

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ACHFX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is lower than the PYHRX Sharpe Ratio of 3.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ACHFX and PYHRX, 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

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ACHFX drawdown since its inception was -9.27%, smaller than the maximum PYHRX drawdown of -27.80%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ACHFX and PYHRX.

Drawdown Indicators

	ACHFX	PYHRX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.27%	-27.80%	+18.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-2.02%	-0.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.89%	-4.21%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.08%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.45%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.23%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.41%	-2.11%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	0.38%	+0.11%

Volatility

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Volatility Comparison

American Century High Income Fund Class G (ACHFX) has a higher volatility of 0.89% compared to Payden High Income Fund (PYHRX) at 0.70%. This indicates that ACHFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PYHRX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ACHFX	PYHRX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.89%	0.70%	+0.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	2.03%	+0.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.47%	2.50%	+0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.47%	45.86%	-40.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.47%	32.63%	-27.16%

Dividends

ACHFX vs. PYHRX - Dividend Comparison

ACHFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.34%, more than PYHRX's 6.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ACHFX American Century High Income Fund Class G	7.34%	7.25%	7.24%	5.24%	2.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PYHRX Payden High Income Fund	6.42%	5.66%	7.20%	6.67%	6.05%	4.79%	4.99%	5.23%	5.88%	5.27%	5.24%	5.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ACHFX and PYHRX in my portfolio?

ACHFX and PYHRX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ACHFX or PYHRX?

ACHFX has higher volatility (0.89%) compared to PYHRX (0.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ACHFX dropped -9.27% vs PYHRX's -27.80%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PYHRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.28 vs 2.23), 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.