BYLD vs. HISF
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF).
BYLD and HISF are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. BYLD is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Morningstar U.S. Bond Market Yield-Optimized Index. It was launched on Apr 22, 2014. HISF is an actively managed fund by First Trust. It was launched on Aug 13, 2014.
Performance
BYLD vs. HISF - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
BYLD vs. HISF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 0.02% | 8.41% | 4.89% |
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | -0.74% | 8.39% | 3.30% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BYLD achieves a 0.02% return, which is significantly higher than HISF's -0.74% return.
BYLD
- 1D
- 0.22%
- 1M
- -1.20%
- YTD
- 0.02%
- 6M
- 1.02%
- 1Y
- 5.97%
- 3Y*
- 6.12%
- 5Y*
- 2.20%
- 10Y*
- 3.03%
HISF
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- -1.61%
- YTD
- -0.74%
- 6M
- 0.44%
- 1Y
- 4.87%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
BYLD vs. HISF - Expense Ratio Comparison
BYLD has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than HISF's 0.87% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
BYLD vs. HISF — Risk / Return Rank
BYLD
HISF
BYLD vs. HISF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) and First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF). 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.
| BYLD | HISF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.30 | 1.34 | -0.04 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.83 | 1.86 | -0.03 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.25 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.28 | 1.79 | +0.48 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.29 | 7.34 | +0.95 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BYLD | HISF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.30 | 1.34 | -0.04 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.43 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.56 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.56 | 1.32 | -0.76 |
Correlation
The correlation between BYLD and HISF is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Dividends
BYLD vs. HISF - Dividend Comparison
BYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.35%, more than HISF's 4.92% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYLD iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF | 5.35% | 5.32% | 5.31% | 4.45% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 3.41% | 3.67% | 4.22% | 3.22% | 3.14% | 3.37% |
HISF First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF | 4.92% | 4.69% | 3.92% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Drawdowns
BYLD vs. HISF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BYLD drawdown since its inception was -14.75%, which is greater than HISF's maximum drawdown of -3.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BYLD and HISF.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| BYLD | HISF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -14.75% | -3.86% | -10.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.72% | -2.90% | +0.18% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -14.65% | — | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -14.75% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.54% | -1.96% | +0.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.54% | -0.86% | -1.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.75% | 0.71% | +0.04% |
Volatility
BYLD vs. HISF - Volatility Comparison
iShares Yield Optimized Bond ETF (BYLD) has a higher volatility of 2.00% compared to First Trust High Income Strategic Focus ETF (HISF) at 1.75%. This indicates that BYLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HISF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| BYLD | HISF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.00% | 1.75% | +0.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.71% | 2.26% | +0.45% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.61% | 3.67% | +0.94% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.16% | 3.95% | +1.21% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.43% | 3.95% | +1.48% |