BHYAX vs. VWEHX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BHYAX (BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares) and VWEHX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares) are both High Yield Bonds funds. BHYAX is passively managed, while VWEHX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, BHYAX returned 5.51%/yr vs 5.17%/yr for VWEHX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BHYAX charges 0.93%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VWEHX.

Performance

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BHYAX achieves a 1.47% return, which is significantly higher than VWEHX's 0.97% return. Over the past 10 years, BHYAX has outperformed VWEHX with an annualized return of 5.51%, while VWEHX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.17% annualized return.

BHYAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 2.16%
• 1Y: 6.93%
• 3Y*: 8.54%
• 5Y*: 3.75%
• 10Y*: 5.51%

VWEHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.24%
• 3Y*: 8.38%
• 5Y*: 4.01%
• 10Y*: 5.17%

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

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	1.47%	8.96%	7.55%	12.19%	-11.63%	5.21%	5.54%	15.15%	-3.24%	8.03%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	0.97%	9.38%	6.33%	11.66%	-9.04%	2.97%	5.30%	15.81%	-2.93%	7.05%

Correlation

The correlation between BHYAX and VWEHX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 18, 1998	0.79

The correlation between BHYAX and VWEHX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BHYAX vs. VWEHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

BHYAX

BHYAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
BHYAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
BHYAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
BHYAX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
BHYAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
BHYAX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

VWEHX

VWEHX Risk / Return Rank: 66
VWEHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
VWEHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
VWEHX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VWEHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VWEHX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BHYAX	VWEHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	1.98	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.67	3.40	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.48	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.09	2.56	+0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.01	12.93	+2.07

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BHYAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the VWEHX Sharpe Ratio of 1.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BHYAX and VWEHX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BHYAX drawdown since its inception was -35.18%, which is greater than VWEHX's maximum drawdown of -30.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BHYAX and VWEHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BHYAX	VWEHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.18%	-30.17%	-5.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.30%	-2.52%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.10%	-3.33%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.60%	-13.83%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.25%	-19.69%	-3.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-0.18%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.86%	-4.29%	+1.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.47%	0.50%	-0.03%

Volatility

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares (BHYAX) has a higher volatility of 0.98% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX) at 0.86%. This indicates that BHYAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWEHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BHYAX	VWEHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	0.86%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.66%	2.60%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	3.27%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.20%	4.91%	+0.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.88%	5.26%	+0.62%

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BHYAX has a 0.93% expense ratio, which is higher than VWEHX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

BHYAX vs. VWEHX - Dividend Comparison

BHYAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.73%, more than VWEHX's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BHYAX BlackRock High Yield Bond Fund Investor A Shares	6.73%	6.71%	6.56%	5.30%	4.60%	4.42%	4.83%	5.39%	6.02%	5.50%	5.65%	6.01%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	6.27%	6.15%	6.11%	5.68%	5.11%	3.43%	4.62%	5.24%	5.94%	5.29%	5.41%	6.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BHYAX and VWEHX in my portfolio?

BHYAX and VWEHX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BHYAX or VWEHX?

BHYAX has higher volatility (0.98%) compared to VWEHX (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BHYAX dropped -35.18% vs VWEHX's -30.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BHYAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.98), 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.