RITGX vs. PFFA

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

RITGX (American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6) and PFFA (Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF) are both funds - RITGX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while PFFA is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past 5 years, RITGX returned 4.86%/yr vs 6.42%/yr for PFFA. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RITGX charges 0.32%/yr vs 1.47%/yr for PFFA.

Performance

RITGX vs. PFFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RITGX achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly lower than PFFA's 3.08% return.

RITGX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 6M: 2.73%
• 1Y: 8.09%
• 3Y*: 9.68%
• 5Y*: 4.86%
• 10Y*: 6.31%

PFFA

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 3.08%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 12.59%
• 3Y*: 14.42%
• 5Y*: 6.42%
• 10Y*: —

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

RITGX vs. PFFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	2.04%	8.69%	9.91%	12.54%	-10.10%	8.74%	7.44%	12.28%	-1.31%
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	3.08%	8.22%	16.11%	26.45%	-20.91%	23.53%	-7.87%	31.99%	-7.29%

Correlation

The correlation between RITGX and PFFA is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 16, 2018	0.54

The correlation between RITGX and PFFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (1 year) to 0.60 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RITGX vs. PFFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RITGX

RITGX Risk / Return Rank: 84
RITGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
RITGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
RITGX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
RITGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
RITGX Martin Ratio Rank: 87

PFFA

PFFA Risk / Return Rank: 49
PFFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
PFFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
PFFA Omega Ratio Rank: 55
PFFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
PFFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

RITGX vs. PFFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) and Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA). 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.

	RITGX	PFFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.32	1.77	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.03	2.53	+1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.33	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	1.95	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.02	6.47	+8.54

RITGX vs. PFFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RITGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is higher than the PFFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RITGX and PFFA, 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

RITGX vs. PFFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RITGX drawdown since its inception was -21.20%, smaller than the maximum PFFA drawdown of -70.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RITGX and PFFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RITGX	PFFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.20%	-70.52%	+49.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.41%	-6.49%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.92%	-12.15%	+8.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.75%	-22.70%	+8.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.20%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-1.50%	+1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.22%	-6.62%	+4.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	1.95%	-1.41%

Volatility

RITGX vs. PFFA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) is 1.05%, while Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA) has a volatility of 2.17%. This indicates that RITGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PFFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RITGX	PFFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.05%	2.17%	-1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.70%	5.89%	-3.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.51%	7.13%	-3.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.04%	11.53%	-6.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.52%	31.76%	-26.24%

RITGX vs. PFFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RITGX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFA's 1.47% expense ratio.

Dividends

RITGX vs. PFFA - Dividend Comparison

RITGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.66%, less than PFFA's 9.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFFA Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF	9.62%	9.47%	9.18%	9.56%	10.75%	7.64%	8.54%	10.02%	5.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
RITGX American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6	6.66%	6.63%	6.66%	6.80%	4.50%	4.65%	6.19%	6.56%	6.68%	6.36%	5.36%	7.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RITGX and PFFA in my portfolio?

RITGX and PFFA have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RITGX or PFFA?

PFFA has higher volatility (2.17%) compared to RITGX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RITGX dropped -21.20% vs PFFA's -70.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RITGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 1.77), 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.