PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) 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 PHYL. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to PHYL
PHYL charges 0.53% annually. There are 88 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% | 2.68B | Jul 2023 | PHYL vs SCYB | |
| SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF | 0.05% | 11.41B | Jun 2012 | PHYL vs SPHY | |
| Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.08% | 1.71B | Sep 2025 | PHYL vs NHYB | |
| iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 28.80B | Oct 2017 | PHYL vs USHY | |
| Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 0.15% | 3.54B | Dec 2016 | PHYL vs HYLB |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to PHYL
PHYL has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 76. There are 31 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 | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | PHYL vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | 91 | 499.12M | Jul 2021 | PHYL vs IBHG | |
| iShares iBonds 1-5 Year High Yield and Income Ladd... | 91 | 22.06M | Nov 2024 | PHYL vs LDRH | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 91 | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | PHYL vs BSJR | |
| WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fu... | 90 | 255.19M | Dec 2013 | PHYL vs HYZD |
Top Performing PHYL Alternatives (YTD)
PHYL is at 2.08% YTD. There are 51 ETFs in the High Yield Bonds category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 9.42%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Asset Debt Strategy ETF | 9.42% | — | Aug 2025 | PHYL vs DADS | |
| Man Active High Yield ETF | 5.34% | 19.82M | Sep 2025 | PHYL vs MHY | |
| VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ET... | 4.28% | 522.28M | May 2012 | PHYL vs HYEM | |
| ProShares High Yield-Interest Rate Hedged | 3.84% | 179.11M | May 2013 | PHYL vs HYHG | |
| Fidelity Sustainable High Yield ETF | 3.70% | 136.92M | Feb 2022 | PHYL vs FSYD |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to PHYL
PHYL has 3.35% 1-year volatility. There are 37 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 | PHYL vs ESHY | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2026 High Yield Corp Bond ETF | 1.35% | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | PHYL vs BSJQ | |
| Pacific Global Senior Loan ETF | 1.47% | 637.48M | Feb 2015 | PHYL vs FLRT | |
| State Street My2027 High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.82% | 4.98M | Feb 2026 | PHYL vs MYHA | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | 1.95% | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | PHYL vs BSJR |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to PHYL
PHYL has a 1-year max drawdown of -2.68%. There are 58 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% | 907.20M | Aug 2018 | PHYL vs BSJQ | |
| iShares iBonds 2027 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -0.73% | 499.12M | Jul 2021 | PHYL vs IBHG | |
| Invesco BulletShares 2027 High Yield Corporate Bon... | -1.16% | 852.94M | Sep 2019 | PHYL vs BSJR | |
| iShares iBonds 2028 Term High Yield and Income ETF | -1.22% | 450.96M | Mar 2022 | PHYL vs IBHH | |
| iShares iBonds 1-5 Year High Yield and Income Ladd... | -1.23% | 22.06M | Nov 2024 | PHYL vs LDRH |
Often Compared With PHYL
Investors most often compare PHYL with BUL, YLD, FNGR. These 20 comparison targets span 11 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare PHYL with Any Fund or Stock
Compare PHYL with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair PHYL with funds that move differently
PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to PHYL.
Explore PHYL Diversifiers