AHLT vs SPY
American Beacon AHL Trend ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, AHLT or SPY?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. AHLT led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AHLT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $49M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.52% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 255 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +14.47%Best | +12.09% |
| 1Y Return | +32.01%Best | +16.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.98% | +21.20%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5% | 12.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -20.2% | -18.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $12,727 | $17,393Best |
| Fund Family | American Beacon Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Aug 30, 2023 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 31, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3 years).
AHLT vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3 years both funds cover.
AHLT vs SPY Performance
American Beacon AHL Trend ETF (AHLT) is an ETF from American Beacon Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year AHLT returned +32.01% while SPY returned +16.29%. Year to date, AHLT is up 14.47% versus a gain of 12.09% for SPY.
Over three years, AHLT compounded at +6.98% per year against +21.20% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AHLT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.5% compared with 12.8% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -20.2% for AHLT and -18.8% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.09. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AHLT charges 0.96% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $9 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AHLT currently yields 1.52% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AHLT and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AHLT or SPY?
AHLT has an expense ratio of 0.96% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AHLT or SPY?
Over the past year AHLT returned +32.01% vs +16.29% for SPY, so AHLT leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AHLT or SPY?
AHLT has been the more volatile fund at 14.5% annualized versus 12.8% for SPY. Worst drawdown: AHLT -20.2% vs SPY -18.8%.
Should I hold both AHLT and SPY?
AHLT and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.09, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AHLT or SPY?
AHLT yields 1.52% while SPY yields 0.98%, so AHLT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than AHLT?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. AHLT led over 1Y, SPY over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.