VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) belongs to the High Yield Bonds category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with HYEM. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to HYEM
HYEM charges 0.40% annually. There are 51 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab High Yield Bond ETF | 0.03% | 2.75B | Jul 2023 | HYEM vs SCYB | |
| SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | 0.05% | 11.60B | Jun 2012 | HYEM vs SPHY | |
| Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.08% | 1.70B | Sep 2025 | HYEM vs NHYB | |
| iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 28.59B | Oct 2017 | HYEM vs USHY | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bon... | 0.15% | 615.72M | Sep 2016 | HYEM vs BBHY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to HYEM
HYEM has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 77. There are 25 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 96.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 96 | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | HYEM vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 96 | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYEM vs SEIX | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 94 | 259.69M | Dec 2013 | HYEM vs HYZD | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 90 | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYEM vs BSJR | |
| iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF | 90 | 596.69M | May 2014 | HYEM vs HYGH |
Top Performing HYEM Alternatives (YTD)
HYEM is at 4.38% YTD. There are 3 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 6.35%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF | 6.35% | — | Aug 2025 | HYEM vs DADS | |
| Man Active High Yield ETF | 5.89% | 19.82M | Sep 2025 | HYEM vs MHY | |
| ProShares High Yield-Interest Rate Hedged | 4.39% | 185.42M | May 2013 | HYEM vs HYHG | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 3.90% | 259.69M | Dec 2013 | HYEM vs HYZD | |
| iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF | 3.81% | 596.69M | May 2014 | HYEM vs HYGH |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to HYEM
HYEM has 4.40% 1-year volatility. There are 88 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 0.00%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xtrackers J.P. Morgan ESG USD High Yield Corporate... | 0.00% | 6.49M | Mar 2015 | HYEM vs ESHY | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 1.29% | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | HYEM vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 1.63% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYEM vs SEIX | |
| State Street My2027 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.73% | 4.98M | Feb 2026 | HYEM vs MYHA | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 1.95% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYEM vs BSJR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to HYEM
HYEM has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.73%. There are 61 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -0.54%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | -0.54% | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | HYEM vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -0.73% | 507.25M | Jul 2021 | HYEM vs IBHG | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | -1.13% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYEM vs SEIX | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | -1.16% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYEM vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 2028 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -1.22% | 457.18M | Mar 2022 | HYEM vs IBHH |
Other ETFs from VanEck
The 10 most viewed VanEck ETFs shown here include SMH, GDX, NLR and span 13 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $68B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VanEck Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 88 | 51.46% | 68.10B | Dec 2011 | HYEM vs SMH | |
| VanEck Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 36 | -11.33% | 22.65B | May 2006 | HYEM vs GDX | |
| VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF | Uranium, Alternative Energy Equities, Energy Equities | 13 | -10.20% | 3.81B | Aug 2007 | HYEM vs NLR | |
| VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF | Gold, Precious Metals | 38 | -13.28% | 6.89B | Nov 2009 | HYEM vs GDXJ | |
| VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF | Large Cap Blend Equities | 41 | 5.78% | 11.80B | Apr 2012 | HYEM vs MOAT | |
| VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 68 | 45.86% | 249.42M | Aug 2024 | HYEM vs SMHX | |
| VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF | Rare Earth & Strategic Metals | 33 | -8.51% | 1.90B | Oct 2010 | HYEM vs REMX | |
| VanEck BDC Income ETF | Financials Equities | 5 | -4.84% | 1.57B | Feb 2013 | HYEM vs BIZD | |
| VanEck Bitcoin Trust | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.01% | 1.05B | Jan 2024 | HYEM vs HODL | |
| VanEck IG Floating Rate ETF | Corporate Bonds, Ultrashort Bond | 99 | 2.70% | 3.00B | Apr 2011 | HYEM vs FLTR |
Often Compared With HYEM
Investors most often compare HYEM with EMHY, EMLC, CEMB. These 20 comparison targets span 6 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare HYEM with Any Fund or Stock
Compare HYEM with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair HYEM with funds that move differently
VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to HYEM.
Explore HYEM Diversifiers