EPI vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EPI (WisdomTree India Earnings Fund) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EPI is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree India Earnings Index, while HYEM is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EPI returned 9.04%/yr vs 4.61%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EPI charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

EPI vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EPI achieves a -10.46% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.71% return. Over the past 10 years, EPI has outperformed HYEM with an annualized return of 9.04%, while HYEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.61% annualized return.

EPI

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: -5.15%
• YTD: -10.46%
• 6M: -7.79%
• 1Y: -11.22%
• 3Y*: 7.35%
• 5Y*: 5.30%
• 10Y*: 9.04%

HYEM

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 3.71%
• 6M: 4.40%
• 1Y: 9.80%
• 3Y*: 10.72%
• 5Y*: 2.93%
• 10Y*: 4.61%

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

EPI vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EPI WisdomTree India Earnings Fund	-10.46%	2.25%	10.70%	26.03%	-4.74%	26.41%	18.55%	1.53%	-9.88%	39.14%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.71%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between EPI and HYEM is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2012	0.32

EPI vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EPI	HYEM
Financial Services	23.4%	-
Energy	17.3%	-
Basic Materials	13.5%	-
Industrials	9.7%	100.0%
Utilities	8.4%	-
Technology	8.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	-
Healthcare	5.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	-
Communication Services	2.0%	-
Real Estate	0.9%	-

Return for Risk

EPI vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

EPI

EPI Risk / Return Rank: 3
EPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
EPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
EPI Omega Ratio Rank: 3
EPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
EPI Martin Ratio Rank: 1

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 81
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 83
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

EPI vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). 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.

	EPI	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	2.27	-3.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.00	3.33	-4.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.45	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.67	3.61	-4.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.61	14.72	-16.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EPI vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EPI Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EPI and HYEM, 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

	EPI	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	2.27	-3.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.39	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	0.50	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.13	0.54	-0.41

Drawdowns

EPI vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EPI drawdown since its inception was -66.21%, which is greater than HYEM's maximum drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPI and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	EPI	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.21%	-30.96%	-35.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.88%	-2.73%	-14.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.89%	-5.23%	-16.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.89%	-26.30%	+4.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.29%	-30.96%	-19.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.22%	-0.30%	-17.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.65%	-4.40%	-14.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.00%	0.67%	+6.33%

Volatility

EPI vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI) has a higher volatility of 4.88% compared to VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) at 1.16%. This indicates that EPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EPI	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.88%	1.16%	+3.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.90%	3.14%	+9.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.03%	4.33%	+10.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.22%	7.49%	+8.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	9.27%	+11.09%

EPI vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

EPI has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

EPI vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

EPI has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HYEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.53%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EPI WisdomTree India Earnings Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.27%	0.15%	6.01%	1.18%	0.78%	1.17%	1.18%	0.85%	1.05%	1.20%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.53%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EPI and HYEM in my portfolio?

EPI and HYEM have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EPI or HYEM?

EPI has higher volatility (4.88%) compared to HYEM (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EPI dropped -66.21% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, EPI or HYEM?

On 10-year performance, EPI leads with 9.04% vs 4.61% for HYEM. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, HYEM has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EPI or HYEM?

Over the 10-year period, EPI has performed better with a 9.04% return vs 4.61%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EPI or HYEM?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.84% for EPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EPI or HYEM?

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 0.00% for EPI.

What is the main difference between EPI and HYEM?

EPI is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while HYEM is High Yield Bonds. EPI tracks WisdomTree India Earnings Index, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.84% for EPI and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs -0.75), 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.