AHITX vs. SPHIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

AHITX (American Funds American High-Income Trust) and SPHIX (Fidelity High Income Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, AHITX returned 5.85%/yr vs 5.27%/yr for SPHIX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AHITX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.70%/yr for SPHIX.

Performance

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AHITX achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly lower than SPHIX's 3.57% return. Over the past 10 years, AHITX has outperformed SPHIX with an annualized return of 5.85%, while SPHIX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.27% annualized return.

AHITX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.71%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.53%
• 1Y: 7.47%
• 3Y*: 9.03%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: 5.85%

SPHIX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 6M: 4.21%
• 1Y: 10.03%
• 3Y*: 9.87%
• 5Y*: 4.34%
• 10Y*: 5.27%

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

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	1.88%	8.28%	9.45%	11.43%	-10.38%	8.32%	7.01%	11.86%	-1.80%	7.30%
SPHIX Fidelity High Income Fund	3.57%	9.85%	9.57%	10.99%	-13.08%	3.55%	2.47%	14.27%	-2.39%	8.60%

Correlation

The correlation between AHITX and SPHIX 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	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1991	0.73

The correlation between AHITX and SPHIX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AHITX vs. SPHIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AHITX

AHITX Risk / Return Rank: 79
AHITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
AHITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
AHITX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AHITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
AHITX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

SPHIX

SPHIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SPHIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
SPHIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
SPHIX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SPHIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SPHIX 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.

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) and Fidelity High Income Fund (SPHIX). 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	SPHIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	3.03	-0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	5.17	-1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.70	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.20	4.38	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.19	21.87	-7.68

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the SPHIX Sharpe Ratio of 3.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHITX and SPHIX, 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. SPHIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHITX drawdown since its inception was -34.81%, which is greater than SPHIX's maximum drawdown of -31.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHITX and SPHIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHITX	SPHIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.81%	-31.36%	-3.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-2.33%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-4.15%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.93%	-16.46%	+2.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.22%	-22.44%	+1.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.12%	-0.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-3.47%	+0.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.47%	+0.07%

Volatility

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) has a higher volatility of 1.04% compared to Fidelity High Income Fund (SPHIX) at 0.92%. This indicates that AHITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHITX	SPHIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.04%	0.92%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	2.63%	+0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.45%	3.37%	+0.08%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.99%	5.30%	-0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	5.78%	-0.30%

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHITX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than SPHIX's 0.70% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHITX vs. SPHIX - Dividend Comparison

AHITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.29%, less than SPHIX's 6.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AHITX American Funds American High-Income Trust	6.29%	6.26%	6.25%	5.87%	4.17%	4.27%	5.81%	6.19%	6.31%	5.99%	5.05%	6.92%
SPHIX Fidelity High Income Fund	6.38%	6.43%	6.10%	5.41%	3.91%	4.07%	4.71%	5.10%	6.02%	5.40%	6.07%	5.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHITX and SPHIX in my portfolio?

AHITX and SPHIX 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, AHITX or SPHIX?

AHITX has higher volatility (1.04%) compared to SPHIX (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHITX dropped -34.81% vs SPHIX's -31.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.03 vs 2.24), 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.