USNG vs. CATF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USNG (Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF) and CATF (American Century California Municipal Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USNG is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Amplify, while CATF is a Municipal Bonds fund actively managed by American Century. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, USNG returned 40.50% vs 7.98% for CATF. At a correlation of -0.14, they often move in opposite directions. USNG charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for CATF.

Performance

USNG vs. CATF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (USNG) and American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USNG achieves a 31.42% return, which is significantly higher than CATF's 1.92% return.

USNG

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -1.95%
• YTD: 31.42%
• 6M: 28.41%
• 1Y: 40.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CATF

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 1.92%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

USNG vs. CATF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
USNG Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF	31.42%	10.81%
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	1.92%	5.50%

Correlation

The correlation between USNG and CATF is -0.16, 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	-0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2025	-0.14

Return for Risk

USNG vs. CATF — Risk / Return Rank

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

USNG

USNG Risk / Return Rank: 80
USNG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
USNG Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
USNG Omega Ratio Rank: 70
USNG Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
USNG Martin Ratio Rank: 89

CATF

CATF Risk / Return Rank: 74
CATF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
CATF Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
CATF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
CATF Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
CATF Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

USNG vs. CATF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (USNG) and American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF). 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.

	USNG	CATF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.55	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.39	3.89	-0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.54	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.97	2.90	+3.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.70	10.17	+9.52
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USNG vs. CATF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USNG Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the CATF Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USNG and CATF, 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

	USNG	CATF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.55	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.66	0.79	+1.87

Drawdowns

USNG vs. CATF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USNG drawdown since its inception was -6.82%, which is greater than CATF's maximum drawdown of -4.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USNG and CATF.

Drawdown Indicators

	USNG	CATF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.82%	-4.83%	-1.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.82%	-2.77%	-4.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.10%	-0.58%	-3.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.40%	-1.27%	-0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.07%	0.79%	+1.28%

Volatility

USNG vs. CATF - Volatility Comparison

Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF (USNG) has a higher volatility of 6.40% compared to American Century California Municipal Bond ETF (CATF) at 1.06%. This indicates that USNG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CATF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USNG	CATF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.40%	1.06%	+5.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.56%	2.18%	+10.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.52%	3.14%	+13.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.55%	4.33%	+12.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.55%	4.33%	+12.22%

USNG vs. CATF - Expense Ratio Comparison

USNG has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is higher than CATF's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

USNG vs. CATF - Dividend Comparison

USNG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than CATF's 3.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CATF American Century California Municipal Bond ETF	3.22%	3.40%	1.32%
USNG Amplify Samsung U.S. Natural Gas Infrastructure ETF	1.13%	1.10%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USNG and CATF in my portfolio?

USNG and CATF have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USNG or CATF?

USNG has higher volatility (6.40%) compared to CATF (1.06%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USNG dropped -6.82% vs CATF's -4.83%.

Which ETF is better, USNG or CATF?

On 1-year performance, USNG leads with 40.50% vs 7.98% for CATF. On fees, CATF is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, CATF has been the lower-risk option at 1.06%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USNG or CATF?

Over the 1-year period, USNG has performed better with a 40.50% return vs 7.98%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USNG or CATF?

CATF is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for USNG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USNG or CATF?

CATF has the higher dividend yield at 3.22%, compared with 1.13% for USNG.

What is the main difference between USNG and CATF?

USNG is categorized as Energy Equities, while CATF is Municipal Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Amplify and American Century. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for USNG and 0.27% for CATF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CATF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.55 vs 2.47), 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.