AHITX vs. SJNK

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

AHITX (American Funds American High-Income Trust) and SJNK (SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, AHITX returned 5.90%/yr vs 5.55%/yr for SJNK. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AHITX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for SJNK.

Performance

AHITX vs. SJNK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with AHITX having a 1.67% return and SJNK slightly lower at 1.65%. Over the past 10 years, AHITX has outperformed SJNK with an annualized return of 5.90%, while SJNK has yielded a comparatively lower 5.55% 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%

SJNK

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 1.65%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 5.55%

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

AHITX vs. SJNK - 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%
SJNK SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF	1.65%	7.68%	8.24%	11.63%	-5.50%	5.06%	5.82%	9.49%	-0.27%	5.27%

Correlation

The correlation between AHITX and SJNK is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 15, 2012	0.59

The correlation between AHITX and SJNK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AHITX vs. SJNK — 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

SJNK

SJNK Risk / Return Rank: 66
SJNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SJNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SJNK Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SJNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
SJNK Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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. SJNK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK). 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	SJNK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.11	1.83	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.61	2.80	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.36	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.43	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.36	14.73	-1.37

AHITX vs. SJNK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is comparable to the SJNK Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHITX and SJNK, 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. SJNK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHITX drawdown since its inception was -34.81%, which is greater than SJNK's maximum drawdown of -19.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHITX and SJNK.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHITX	SJNK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.81%	-19.74%	-15.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-1.73%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-4.77%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.93%	-10.18%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.22%	-19.74%	-1.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	-0.16%	-0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-1.63%	-1.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.40%	+0.14%

Volatility

AHITX vs. SJNK - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) has a higher volatility of 1.00% compared to SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (SJNK) at 0.87%. This indicates that AHITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SJNK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHITX	SJNK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.00%	0.87%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	2.52%	+0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.46%	3.24%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.99%	5.84%	-0.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	6.47%	-0.99%

AHITX vs. SJNK - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHITX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than SJNK's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHITX vs. SJNK - Dividend Comparison

AHITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.30%, less than SJNK's 7.00% 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%
SJNK SPDR Bloomberg Short Term High Yield Bond ETF	7.00%	7.12%	7.47%	7.20%	5.85%	4.21%	5.34%	5.64%	5.69%	5.64%	5.65%	5.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHITX and SJNK in my portfolio?

AHITX and SJNK have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AHITX or SJNK?

AHITX has higher volatility (1.00%) compared to SJNK (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHITX dropped -34.81% vs SJNK's -19.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHITX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.83), 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.