EMHY vs. GHYG

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EMHY (iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF) and GHYG (iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EMHY is a Emerging Markets Bonds fund tracking the J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Index, while GHYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx Global Developed Markets High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EMHY returned 4.59%/yr vs 4.68%/yr for GHYG. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EMHY charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for GHYG.

Performance

EMHY vs. GHYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) and iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EMHY achieves a 2.47% return, which is significantly higher than GHYG's 0.09% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with EMHY having a 4.59% annualized return and GHYG not far ahead at 4.68%.

EMHY

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.15%
• YTD: 2.47%
• 6M: 3.73%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: 12.59%
• 5Y*: 4.11%
• 10Y*: 4.59%

GHYG

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -1.01%
• YTD: 0.09%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 5.72%
• 3Y*: 8.59%
• 5Y*: 3.16%
• 10Y*: 4.68%

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

EMHY vs. GHYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EMHY iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF	2.47%	13.70%	11.97%	11.47%	-13.03%	-1.91%	3.83%	12.98%	-5.21%	8.54%
GHYG iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF	0.09%	11.28%	5.85%	13.29%	-12.15%	1.62%	6.68%	13.47%	-3.79%	8.97%

Correlation

The correlation between EMHY and GHYG is 0.66, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2012	0.49

The correlation between EMHY and GHYG shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.72 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

EMHY vs. GHYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EMHY	GHYG
Industrials	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.5%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	99.5%

Return for Risk

EMHY vs. GHYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

EMHY

EMHY Risk / Return Rank: 78
EMHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EMHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
EMHY Omega Ratio Rank: 84
EMHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
EMHY Martin Ratio Rank: 77

GHYG

GHYG Risk / Return Rank: 37
GHYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
GHYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GHYG Omega Ratio Rank: 36
GHYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
GHYG Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

EMHY vs. GHYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) and iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG). 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.

	EMHY	GHYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.27	1.22	+1.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	1.85	+1.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.22	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.96	1.50	+1.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.44	5.56	+7.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EMHY vs. GHYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EMHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.27, which is higher than the GHYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EMHY and GHYG, 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

	EMHY	GHYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.27	1.22	+1.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45	0.42	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	0.54	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.55	-0.05

Drawdowns

EMHY vs. GHYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EMHY drawdown since its inception was -30.11%, which is greater than GHYG's maximum drawdown of -27.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EMHY and GHYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	EMHY	GHYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.11%	-27.36%	-2.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.34%	-3.84%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.95%	-4.46%	-1.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.83%	-20.44%	-5.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.11%	-27.36%	-2.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.69%	-1.26%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-3.35%	-1.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.03%	-0.08%

Volatility

EMHY vs. GHYG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF (EMHY) is 1.60%, while iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) has a volatility of 1.85%. This indicates that EMHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GHYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EMHY	GHYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.60%	1.85%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.34%	3.75%	+0.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.69%	4.72%	+0.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.10%	7.64%	+1.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.66%	8.77%	+1.89%

EMHY vs. GHYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

EMHY has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than GHYG's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

EMHY vs. GHYG - Dividend Comparison

EMHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.43%, more than GHYG's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EMHY iShares J.P. Morgan EM High Yield Bond ETF	6.43%	6.52%	6.86%	6.73%	7.08%	5.58%	5.44%	5.72%	6.79%	5.59%	6.43%	6.99%
GHYG iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF	6.27%	6.03%	6.11%	5.60%	4.64%	4.57%	4.36%	4.61%	5.62%	4.60%	4.61%	4.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EMHY and GHYG in my portfolio?

EMHY and GHYG have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EMHY or GHYG?

GHYG has higher volatility (1.85%) compared to EMHY (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EMHY dropped -30.11% vs GHYG's -27.36%.

Which ETF is better, EMHY or GHYG?

On 10-year performance, GHYG leads with 4.68% vs 4.59% for EMHY. On fees, GHYG is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, EMHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EMHY or GHYG?

Over the 10-year period, GHYG has performed better with a 4.68% return vs 4.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EMHY or GHYG?

GHYG is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EMHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EMHY or GHYG?

EMHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.43%, compared with 6.27% for GHYG.

What is the main difference between EMHY and GHYG?

EMHY is categorized as Emerging Markets Bonds, while GHYG is High Yield Bonds. EMHY tracks J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets High Yield Bond Index, while GHYG tracks Markit iBoxx Global Developed Markets High Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EMHY and 0.40% for GHYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 1.22), 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.