AHITX vs. RITGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AHITX (American Funds American High-Income Trust) and RITGX (American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6) are both High Yield Bonds funds from American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AHITX returned 5.90%/yr vs 6.36%/yr for RITGX. With a 1.00 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. AHITX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.32%/yr for RITGX.

Performance

AHITX vs. RITGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AHITX achieves a 1.67% return, which is significantly lower than RITGX's 1.83% return. Over the past 10 years, AHITX has underperformed RITGX with an annualized return of 5.90%, while RITGX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.36% annualized return.

AHITX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.51%
• YTD: 1.67%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 7.14%
• 3Y*: 9.24%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: 5.90%

RITGX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.52%
• 1Y: 7.54%
• 3Y*: 9.89%
• 5Y*: 4.78%
• 10Y*: 6.36%

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

AHITX vs. RITGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	1.67%	8.28%	9.45%	11.43%	-10.38%	8.32%	7.01%	11.86%	-1.80%	7.30%
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	1.83%	8.69%	9.91%	12.54%	-10.10%	8.74%	7.44%	12.28%	-1.46%	7.70%

Correlation

The correlation between AHITX and RITGX is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010	1.00

The correlation between AHITX and RITGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 1.00 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AHITX vs. RITGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AHITX

AHITX Risk / Return Rank: 73
AHITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
AHITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
AHITX Omega Ratio Rank: 77
AHITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
AHITX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

RITGX

RITGX Risk / Return Rank: 78
RITGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
RITGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
RITGX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
RITGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
RITGX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

AHITX vs. RITGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX). 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.

	AHITX	RITGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	2.19	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	3.80	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.48	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.19	-0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	14.17	-0.82

AHITX vs. RITGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the RITGX Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHITX and RITGX, 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

AHITX vs. RITGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHITX drawdown since its inception was -34.81%, which is greater than RITGX's maximum drawdown of -21.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHITX and RITGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHITX	RITGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.81%	-21.20%	-13.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-2.41%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-3.92%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.93%	-13.75%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.22%	-21.20%	-0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.51%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-2.22%	-0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.54%	0.00%

Volatility

AHITX vs. RITGX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) have volatilities of 1.00% and 1.02%, 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

	AHITX	RITGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	1.02%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	2.71%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.46%	3.52%	-0.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.99%	5.04%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	5.52%	-0.04%

AHITX vs. RITGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHITX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than RITGX's 0.32% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHITX vs. RITGX - Dividend Comparison

AHITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.30%, less than RITGX's 6.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	6.30%	6.26%	6.25%	5.87%	4.17%	4.27%	5.81%	6.19%	6.31%	5.99%	5.05%	6.92%
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	6.68%	6.63%	6.66%	6.80%	4.50%	4.65%	6.19%	6.56%	6.68%	6.36%	5.36%	7.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHITX and RITGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, AHITX and RITGX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, AHITX or RITGX?

RITGX has higher volatility (1.02%) compared to AHITX (1.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHITX dropped -34.81% vs RITGX's -21.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RITGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 2.11), 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.