iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) 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 HYG. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to HYG
HYG charges 0.49% annually. There are 83 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 | HYG vs SCYB | |
| SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | 0.05% | 11.60B | Jun 2012 | HYG vs SPHY | |
| Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.08% | 1.70B | Sep 2025 | HYG vs NHYB | |
| iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 28.59B | Oct 2017 | HYG vs USHY | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders USD High Yield Corporate Bon... | 0.15% | 615.72M | Sep 2016 | HYG vs BBHY |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to HYG
HYG has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 61. There are 62 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 | HYG vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 96 | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYG vs SEIX | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 94 | 259.69M | Dec 2013 | HYG vs HYZD | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 90 | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYG vs BSJR | |
| iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF | 90 | 596.69M | May 2014 | HYG vs HYGH |
Top Performing HYG Alternatives (YTD)
HYG is at 1.81% YTD. There are 66 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 8.47%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF | 8.47% | — | Aug 2025 | HYG vs DADS | |
| Man Active High Yield ETF | 6.16% | 19.82M | Sep 2025 | HYG vs MHY | |
| ProShares High Yield-Interest Rate Hedged | 4.39% | 185.42M | May 2013 | HYG vs HYHG | |
| VanEck Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 4.38% | 521.46M | May 2012 | HYG vs HYEM | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 3.90% | 259.69M | Dec 2013 | HYG vs HYZD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to HYG
HYG has 3.87% 1-year volatility. There are 69 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 | HYG vs ESHY | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 1.29% | 870.26M | Aug 2018 | HYG vs BSJQ | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | 1.63% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYG vs SEIX | |
| State Street My2027 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.73% | 4.98M | Feb 2026 | HYG vs MYHA | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 1.95% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYG vs BSJR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to HYG
HYG has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.34%. There are 35 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 | HYG vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -0.73% | 507.25M | Jul 2021 | HYG vs IBHG | |
| Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF | -1.13% | 251.21M | Apr 2019 | HYG vs SEIX | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | -1.16% | 865.81M | Sep 2019 | HYG vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 2028 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -1.22% | 457.18M | Mar 2022 | HYG vs IBHH |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include SGOV, IBIT, SOXX and span 14 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $869B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF | Ultrashort Bond | 100 | 2.13% | 99.95B | May 2020 | HYG vs SGOV | |
| iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF | Cryptocurrency | 2 | -27.17% | 46.52B | Jan 2024 | HYG vs IBIT | |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF | Semiconductors, Technology Equities | 90 | 68.76% | 44.69B | Jul 2001 | HYG vs SOXX | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | S&P 500 | 78 | 11.75% | 869.20B | May 2000 | HYG vs IVV | |
| iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities, Dividend | 92 | 13.79% | 42.77B | Jun 2014 | HYG vs DGRO | |
| iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF | Government Bonds, Long-Term Bond | 7 | -3.18% | 41.54B | Jul 2002 | HYG vs TLT | |
| iShares Silver Trust | Silver, Precious Metals | 35 | -18.57% | 28.08B | Apr 2006 | HYG vs SLV | |
| iShares Gold Trust | Gold, Precious Metals | 28 | -6.14% | 59.74B | Jan 2005 | HYG vs IAU | |
| iShares Russell 2000 ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | 85 | 20.84% | 80.11B | May 2000 | HYG vs IWM | |
| iShares MSCI ACWI ETF | Global Equities | 77 | 12.35% | 32.49B | Mar 2008 | HYG vs ACWI |
Often Compared With HYG
Investors most often compare HYG with LQD, JNK, AGG. These 20 comparison targets span 8 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare HYG with Any Fund or Stock
Compare HYG with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair HYG with funds that move differently
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to HYG.
Explore HYG Diversifiers