FLHY vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

FLHY (Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. FLHY is actively managed, while HYEM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLHY returned 4.75%/yr vs 3.02%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

FLHY vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF (FLHY) 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, FLHY achieves a 1.87% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.81% return.

FLHY

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 1.87%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 7.53%
• 3Y*: 9.36%
• 5Y*: 4.75%
• 10Y*: —

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: 4.63%

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

FLHY vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FLHY Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF	1.87%	9.26%	8.70%	13.40%	-10.45%	4.27%	7.77%	16.39%	-1.31%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.81%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	0.41%

Correlation

The correlation between FLHY and HYEM is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 2018	0.48

The correlation between FLHY and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.54 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FLHY vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLHY	HYEM
Energy	1.9%	-
Industrials	1.6%	100.0%
Technology	1.6%	-
Healthcare	0.9%	-
Basic Materials	0.7%	-
Utilities	0.6%	-
Consumer Cyclical	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.5%	-
Communication Services	0.4%	-
Real Estate	0.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-

Return for Risk

FLHY vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLHY

FLHY Risk / Return Rank: 66
FLHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
FLHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
FLHY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
FLHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
FLHY Martin Ratio Rank: 77

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

FLHY vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF (FLHY) 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.

	FLHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.98	2.33	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.42	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.46	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.11	3.71	-0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.63	15.14	-0.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLHY vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.98, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLHY 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

	FLHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.98	2.33	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.40	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.54	+0.19

Drawdowns

FLHY vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLHY drawdown since its inception was -22.58%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLHY and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLHY	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.58%	-30.96%	+8.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.43%	-2.73%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.49%	-5.23%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.19%	-26.30%	+11.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.06%	-0.20%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.54%	-4.40%	+1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.52%	0.67%	-0.15%

Volatility

FLHY vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF (FLHY) is 1.22%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that FLHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLHY	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.22%	1.32%	-0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.98%	3.21%	-0.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.83%	4.33%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.94%	7.49%	-0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.11%	9.27%	-1.16%

FLHY vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both FLHY and HYEM have an expense ratio of 0.40%.

Dividends

FLHY vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

FLHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.46%, less than HYEM's 6.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLHY Franklin Liberty High Yield Corporate ETF	6.46%	6.53%	6.51%	6.26%	6.54%	5.76%	5.47%	5.61%	4.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 FLHY and HYEM in my portfolio?

FLHY and HYEM have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLHY or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to FLHY (1.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLHY dropped -22.58% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, FLHY or HYEM?

On 5-year performance, FLHY leads with 4.75% vs 3.02% for HYEM. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLHY or HYEM?

Over the 5-year period, FLHY has performed better with a 4.75% return vs 3.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLHY or HYEM?

FLHY and HYEM have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 6.46% for FLHY.

What is the main difference between FLHY and HYEM?

They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 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.