RITGX vs. VYM
RITGX (American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both funds - RITGX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by American Funds, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Over the past 10 years, RITGX returned 6.31%/yr vs 11.78%/yr for VYM. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RITGX charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
RITGX vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RITGX achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 11.57% return. Over the past 10 years, RITGX has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 6.31%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.78% annualized 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%
VYM
- 1D
- 0.07%
- 1M
- 1.56%
- YTD
- 11.57%
- 6M
- 11.72%
- 1Y
- 25.29%
- 3Y*
- 17.42%
- 5Y*
- 12.42%
- 10Y*
- 11.78%
RITGX vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% | -1.46% | 7.70% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 11.57% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between RITGX and VYM is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2010 | 0.42 |
The correlation between RITGX and VYM shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (all time) to 0.54 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RITGX vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
RITGX
VYM
RITGX vs. VYM - 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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.13 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.55 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.51 | 1.44 | +0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.37 | 3.79 | -0.43 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 15.02 | 14.13 | +0.88 |
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Drawdowns
RITGX vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RITGX drawdown since its inception was -21.20%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RITGX and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RITGX | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -21.20% | -56.98% | +35.78% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.41% | -6.69% | +4.28% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -3.92% | -14.46% | +10.54% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.75% | -15.84% | +2.09% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -21.20% | -35.21% | +14.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.30% | -1.23% | +0.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.22% | -7.18% | +4.96% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.54% | 1.79% | -1.25% |
Volatility
RITGX vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for American Funds American High-Income Trust® Class R-6 (RITGX) is 1.05%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 3.06%. This indicates that RITGX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RITGX | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.05% | 3.06% | -2.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.70% | 7.65% | -4.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.51% | 10.39% | -6.88% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.04% | 13.95% | -8.91% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.52% | 16.35% | -10.83% |
RITGX vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
RITGX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
RITGX vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
RITGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.66%, more than VYM's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.84% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RITGX and VYM have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (3.06%) compared to RITGX (1.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RITGX dropped -21.20% vs VYM's -56.98%.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.32), 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.
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