BKHY vs. HYDW

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BKHY (BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF) and HYDW (Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - BKHY tracks the Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield Index while HYDW tracks the Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market Low Beta Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BKHY returned 4.26%/yr vs 3.61%/yr for HYDW. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BKHY charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HYDW.

Performance

BKHY vs. HYDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF (BKHY) and Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BKHY achieves a 2.00% return, which is significantly higher than HYDW's 1.07% return.

BKHY

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 2.00%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 7.78%
• 3Y*: 8.93%
• 5Y*: 4.26%
• 10Y*: —

HYDW

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.07%
• 6M: 1.43%
• 1Y: 5.94%
• 3Y*: 6.90%
• 5Y*: 3.61%
• 10Y*: —

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

BKHY vs. HYDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BKHY BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF	2.00%	8.48%	8.37%	12.40%	-10.97%	4.75%	17.83%
HYDW Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF	1.07%	8.47%	5.42%	9.84%	-7.86%	2.77%	10.73%

Correlation

The correlation between BKHY and HYDW is 0.83, 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	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 2020	0.92

The correlation between BKHY and HYDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BKHY vs. HYDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

BKHY

BKHY Risk / Return Rank: 67
BKHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
BKHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
BKHY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
BKHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
BKHY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

HYDW

HYDW Risk / Return Rank: 64
HYDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
HYDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
HYDW Omega Ratio Rank: 66
HYDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
HYDW Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

BKHY vs. HYDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF (BKHY) and Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW). 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.

	BKHY	HYDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.03	+0.10
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	3.12	+0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.40	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.07	2.81	+0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.14	13.44	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BKHY vs. HYDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BKHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the HYDW Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BKHY and HYDW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BKHY	HYDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	2.03	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.57	0.57	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.59	+0.32

Drawdowns

BKHY vs. HYDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BKHY drawdown since its inception was -15.89%, smaller than the maximum HYDW drawdown of -17.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BKHY and HYDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	BKHY	HYDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.89%	-17.75%	+1.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.53%	-2.09%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.87%	-3.64%	-1.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.89%	-12.68%	-3.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.07%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.98%	-1.89%	-1.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.55%	0.44%	+0.11%

Volatility

BKHY vs. HYDW - Volatility Comparison

BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF (BKHY) has a higher volatility of 1.13% compared to Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW) at 0.76%. This indicates that BKHY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BKHY	HYDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	0.76%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.96%	2.26%	+0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.68%	2.94%	+0.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.58%	6.40%	+1.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.37%	6.99%	+0.38%

BKHY vs. HYDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

BKHY has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than HYDW's 0.20% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

BKHY vs. HYDW - Dividend Comparison

BKHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.44%, more than HYDW's 5.74% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BKHY BNY Mellon High Yield Beta ETF	7.44%	7.33%	7.34%	8.67%	6.59%	6.78%	4.65%	0.00%	0.00%
HYDW Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF	5.74%	5.75%	5.35%	5.69%	4.78%	3.30%	4.45%	4.56%	4.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BKHY and HYDW in my portfolio?

BKHY and HYDW have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BKHY or HYDW?

BKHY has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to HYDW (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BKHY dropped -15.89% vs HYDW's -17.75%.

Which ETF is better, BKHY or HYDW?

On 5-year performance, BKHY leads with 4.26% vs 3.61% for HYDW. On fees, HYDW is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, HYDW has been the lower-risk option at 0.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BKHY or HYDW?

Over the 5-year period, BKHY has performed better with a 4.26% return vs 3.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BKHY or HYDW?

HYDW is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for BKHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BKHY or HYDW?

BKHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.44%, compared with 5.74% for HYDW.

What is the main difference between BKHY and HYDW?

BKHY tracks Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield Index, while HYDW tracks Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market Low Beta Index. They also come from different issuers: BNY Mellon and Deutsche Bank. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for BKHY and 0.20% for HYDW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BKHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 2.03), 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.