AHLT vs. GSST

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AHLT (American Beacon AHL Trend ETF) and GSST (Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AHLT is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by American Beacon, while GSST is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by Goldman Sachs. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, AHLT returned 37.45% vs 4.61% for GSST. At a correlation of -0.15, they often move in opposite directions. AHLT charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.16%/yr for GSST.

Performance

AHLT vs. GSST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) and Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AHLT achieves a 12.42% return, which is significantly higher than GSST's 1.55% return.

AHLT

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 2.87%
• YTD: 12.42%
• 6M: 16.55%
• 1Y: 37.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GSST

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.32%
• YTD: 1.55%
• 6M: 1.88%
• 1Y: 4.61%
• 3Y*: 5.52%
• 5Y*: 3.75%
• 10Y*: —

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

AHLT vs. GSST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	12.42%	13.73%	6.08%	-8.33%
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	1.55%	5.20%	6.01%	2.31%

Correlation

The correlation between AHLT and GSST is -0.11, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 1, 2023	-0.15

Return for Risk

AHLT vs. GSST — Risk / Return Rank

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

AHLT

AHLT Risk / Return Rank: 68
AHLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
AHLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
AHLT Omega Ratio Rank: 66
AHLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
AHLT Martin Ratio Rank: 67

GSST

GSST Risk / Return Rank: 99
GSST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Omega Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
GSST Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

AHLT vs. GSST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) and Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST). 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.

	AHLT	GSST	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	7.98	-5.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.79	16.58	-13.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	3.94	-2.54
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	29.99	-25.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.30	185.54	-173.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AHLT vs. GSST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AHLT Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is lower than the GSST Sharpe Ratio of 7.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AHLT and GSST, 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

	AHLT	GSST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	7.98	-5.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	5.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	3.78	-3.31

Drawdowns

AHLT vs. GSST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AHLT drawdown since its inception was -20.18%, which is greater than GSST's maximum drawdown of -3.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AHLT and GSST.

Drawdown Indicators

	AHLT	GSST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.18%	-3.51%	-16.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.26%	-0.15%	-8.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-0.25%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-1.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	0.00%	-0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.39%	-0.16%	-9.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.05%	0.02%	+3.03%

Volatility

AHLT vs. GSST - Volatility Comparison

American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) has a higher volatility of 2.62% compared to Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF (GSST) at 0.13%. This indicates that AHLT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GSST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AHLT	GSST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	0.13%	+2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	0.41%	+11.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.10%	0.58%	+16.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.37%	0.63%	+16.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.37%	0.86%	+16.51%

AHLT vs. GSST - Expense Ratio Comparison

AHLT has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than GSST's 0.16% expense ratio.

Dividends

AHLT vs. GSST - Dividend Comparison

AHLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.51%, less than GSST's 4.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	1.51%	1.70%	0.00%	3.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
GSST Goldman Sachs Ultra Short Bond ETF	4.32%	4.56%	5.45%	4.98%	1.97%	0.71%	1.12%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AHLT and GSST in my portfolio?

AHLT and GSST have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AHLT or GSST?

AHLT has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to GSST (0.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AHLT dropped -20.18% vs GSST's -3.51%.

Which ETF is better, AHLT or GSST?

On 1-year performance, AHLT leads with 37.45% vs 4.61% for GSST. On fees, GSST is cheaper at 0.16% per year. On volatility, GSST has been the lower-risk option at 0.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AHLT or GSST?

Over the 1-year period, AHLT has performed better with a 37.45% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AHLT or GSST?

GSST is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for AHLT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AHLT or GSST?

GSST has the higher dividend yield at 4.32%, compared with 1.51% for AHLT.

What is the main difference between AHLT and GSST?

AHLT is categorized as Systematic Trend, while GSST is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: American Beacon and Goldman Sachs. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for AHLT and 0.16% for GSST.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (7.98 vs 2.20), 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.