BTR vs. AHLT

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

BTR (Beacon Tactical Risk ETF) and AHLT (American Beacon AHL Trend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BTR is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by American Beacon, while AHLT is a Systematic Trend fund actively managed by American Beacon. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, BTR returned 18.33% vs 36.57% for AHLT. Their 0.33 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. BTR charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for AHLT.

Performance

BTR vs. AHLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Beacon Tactical Risk ETF (BTR) and American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BTR achieves a 10.46% return, which is significantly higher than AHLT's 9.63% return.

BTR

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 0.61%
• 6M: 6.41%
• YTD: 10.46%
• 1Y: 18.33%
• 3Y*: 5.09%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.42%

AHLT

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 0.79%
• 6M: 1.90%
• YTD: 9.63%
• 1Y: 36.57%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 6.78%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	$1.71M	$919.30K	$2.04M
BTR Beacon Tactical Risk ETF	$90.34K	$77.51K	$97.29K

BTR vs. AHLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
BTR Beacon Tactical Risk ETF	10.46%	-2.15%	14.45%	-6.08%
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	9.63%	13.73%	6.08%	-8.42%

Correlation

The correlation between BTR and AHLT is 0.45, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 31, 2023	0.33

The correlation between BTR and AHLT shifts across timeframes, from 0.33 (all time) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

BTR vs. AHLT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

BTR

BTR Risk / Return Rank: 76
BTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
BTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
BTR Omega Ratio Rank: 76
BTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
BTR Martin Ratio Rank: 80

AHLT

AHLT Risk / Return Rank: 87
AHLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
AHLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AHLT Omega Ratio Rank: 86
AHLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
AHLT Martin Ratio Rank: 87

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

BTR vs. AHLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Beacon Tactical Risk ETF (BTR) and American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT). 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.

	BTR	AHLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.16	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	2.77	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.39	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.95	5.54	-2.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.48	13.03	-1.55

BTR vs. AHLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the AHLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BTR and AHLT, 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

BTR vs. AHLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BTR drawdown since its inception was -16.67%, smaller than the maximum AHLT drawdown of -20.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BTR and AHLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	BTR	AHLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.67%	-20.18%	+3.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.23%	-6.63%	+0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.67%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.27%	+3.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.34%	-9.04%	+3.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	2.81%	-1.21%

Volatility

BTR vs. AHLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Beacon Tactical Risk ETF (BTR) is 2.25%, while American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) has a volatility of 3.31%. This indicates that BTR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AHLT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BTR	AHLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.25%	3.31%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.18%	10.20%	-3.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.82%	17.02%	-7.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.80%	17.21%	-6.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.80%	17.21%	-6.41%

BTR vs. AHLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

BTR has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than AHLT's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BTR vs. AHLT - Dividend Comparison

BTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.17%, less than AHLT's 1.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	1.55%	1.70%	0.00%	3.72%
BTR Beacon Tactical Risk ETF	1.17%	1.29%	0.87%	0.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BTR and AHLT in my portfolio?

BTR and AHLT have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BTR or AHLT?

AHLT has higher volatility (3.31%) compared to BTR (2.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BTR dropped -16.67% vs AHLT's -20.18%.

Which ETF is better, BTR or AHLT?

On 1-year performance, AHLT leads with 36.57% vs 18.33% for BTR. On fees, AHLT is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, BTR has been the lower-risk option at 2.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BTR or AHLT?

Over the 1-year period, AHLT has performed better with a 36.57% return vs 18.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BTR or AHLT?

AHLT is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for BTR.

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

AHLT has the higher dividend yield at 1.55%, compared with 1.17% for BTR.

What is the main difference between BTR and AHLT?

BTR is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while AHLT is Systematic Trend. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for BTR and 0.95% for AHLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AHLT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.88), 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.