AHITX vs. TEPAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

AHITX (American Funds American High-Income Trust) and TEPAX (American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio) are both mutual funds - AHITX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while TEPAX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by American Funds. Over the past 10 years, AHITX returned 5.89%/yr vs 1.54%/yr for TEPAX. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AHITX charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for TEPAX.

Performance

AHITX vs. TEPAX - 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 Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio (TEPAX). 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 higher than TEPAX's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, AHITX has outperformed TEPAX with an annualized return of 5.89%, while TEPAX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.54% annualized return.

AHITX

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.43%
• 1Y: 8.02%
• 3Y*: 9.19%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: 5.89%

TEPAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.09%
• 1Y: 4.12%
• 3Y*: 3.42%
• 5Y*: 1.23%
• 10Y*: 1.54%

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

AHITX vs. TEPAX - 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%
TEPAX American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio	0.81%	4.36%	2.14%	3.63%	-4.36%	-0.03%	3.52%	4.14%	0.90%	2.43%

Correlation

The correlation between AHITX and TEPAX is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.15

The correlation between AHITX and TEPAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.15 (all time) to 0.40 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AHITX vs. TEPAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

AHITX

AHITX Risk / Return Rank: 78
AHITX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
AHITX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
AHITX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AHITX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
AHITX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

TEPAX

TEPAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
TEPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
TEPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
TEPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
TEPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
TEPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. TEPAX - 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 Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio (TEPAX). 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.

	AHITX	TEPAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	3.01	-0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.15	4.45	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.85	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	2.33	+1.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.23	7.18	+8.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AHITX vs. TEPAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHITX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the TEPAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHITX and TEPAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AHITX	TEPAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	3.01	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.63	+0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.08	0.75	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.43	0.85	+0.58

Drawdowns

AHITX vs. TEPAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHITX drawdown since its inception was -34.81%, which is greater than TEPAX's maximum drawdown of -7.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHITX and TEPAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHITX	TEPAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.81%	-7.13%	-27.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-1.82%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.96%	-2.23%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.93%	-7.12%	-6.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.22%	-7.13%	-14.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.80%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-1.24%	-1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.59%	-0.05%

Volatility

AHITX vs. TEPAX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds American High-Income Trust (AHITX) has a higher volatility of 1.18% compared to American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio (TEPAX) at 0.57%. This indicates that AHITX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TEPAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHITX	TEPAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.18%	0.57%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.63%	1.14%	+1.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.41%	1.41%	+2.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.98%	1.95%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.48%	2.07%	+3.41%

AHITX vs. TEPAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHITX has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than TEPAX's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHITX vs. TEPAX - Dividend Comparison

AHITX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.29%, more than TEPAX's 2.38% 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%
TEPAX American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio	2.38%	2.39%	2.44%	1.96%	1.11%	0.87%	1.44%	1.79%	1.72%	1.79%	2.22%	2.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHITX and TEPAX in my portfolio?

AHITX and TEPAX have a correlation of 0.29, 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 TEPAX?

AHITX has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to TEPAX (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHITX dropped -34.81% vs TEPAX's -7.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TEPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.01 vs 2.40), 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.