ISMF vs. AHLT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ISMF (iShares Managed Futures Active ETF) and AHLT (American Beacon AHL Trend ETF) are both Systematic Trend funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ISMF returned 22.64% vs 37.45% for AHLT. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ISMF charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for AHLT.

Performance

ISMF vs. AHLT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) 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, ISMF achieves a 8.37% return, which is significantly lower than AHLT's 12.42% return.

ISMF

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 8.37%
• 6M: 11.16%
• 1Y: 22.64%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

AHLT

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

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

ISMF vs. AHLT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	8.37%	11.58%
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	12.42%	14.48%

Correlation

The correlation between ISMF and AHLT is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 2025	0.52

The correlation between ISMF and AHLT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ISMF vs. AHLT — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISMF

ISMF Risk / Return Rank: 89
ISMF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ISMF Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
ISMF Omega Ratio Rank: 91
ISMF Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
ISMF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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

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.

ISMF vs. AHLT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) 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.

	ISMF	AHLT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.88	2.20	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	2.79	+1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.40	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.77	4.56	+1.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.96	12.30	+7.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISMF vs. AHLT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISMF Sharpe Ratio is 2.88, which is higher than the AHLT Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISMF 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISMF	AHLT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88	2.20	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.17	0.48	+1.70

Drawdowns

ISMF vs. AHLT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISMF drawdown since its inception was -4.23%, smaller than the maximum AHLT drawdown of -20.18%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISMF and AHLT.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISMF	AHLT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-20.18%	+15.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.94%	-8.26%	+4.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.80%	+0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.27%	-9.39%	+8.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.14%	3.05%	-1.91%

Volatility

ISMF vs. AHLT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) is 1.89%, while American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) has a volatility of 2.62%. This indicates that ISMF 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

	ISMF	AHLT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.89%	2.62%	-0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.33%	12.12%	-5.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.92%	17.10%	-9.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.78%	17.37%	-9.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.78%	17.37%	-9.59%

ISMF vs. AHLT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISMF has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is lower than AHLT's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISMF vs. AHLT - Dividend Comparison

ISMF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.75%, more than AHLT's 1.51% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
AHLT American Beacon AHL Trend ETF	1.51%	1.70%	0.00%	3.72%
ISMF iShares Managed Futures Active ETF	5.75%	6.23%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISMF and AHLT in my portfolio?

ISMF and AHLT have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISMF or AHLT?

AHLT has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to ISMF (1.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISMF dropped -4.23% vs AHLT's -20.18%.

Which ETF is better, ISMF or AHLT?

On 1-year performance, AHLT leads with 37.45% vs 22.64% for ISMF. On fees, ISMF is cheaper at 0.80% per year. On volatility, ISMF has been the lower-risk option at 1.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISMF or AHLT?

Over the 1-year period, AHLT has performed better with a 37.45% return vs 22.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISMF or AHLT?

ISMF is cheaper with a 0.80% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for AHLT.

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

ISMF has the higher dividend yield at 5.75%, compared with 1.51% for AHLT.

What is the main difference between ISMF and AHLT?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and American Beacon. Their fees differ too: 0.80% for ISMF and 0.95% for AHLT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISMF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.88 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.