FWD vs. HYFI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FWD (AB Disruptors ETF) and HYFI (AB High Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FWD is a Global Equities fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein, while HYFI is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FWD returned 29.50%/yr vs 8.55%/yr for HYFI. Their 0.53 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FWD charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYFI.

Performance

FWD vs. HYFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) and AB High Yield ETF (HYFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FWD achieves a 20.07% return, which is significantly higher than HYFI's 1.96% return.

FWD

• 1D: 1.20%
• 1M: -8.86%
• 6M: 11.18%
• YTD: 20.07%
• 1Y: 39.21%
• 3Y*: 29.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 31.81%

HYFI

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -0.13%
• 6M: 1.08%
• YTD: 1.96%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 8.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.59%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	$39.66M	$42.86M	$36.96M
HYFI AB High Yield ETF	$1.00M	$1.67M	$1.77M

FWD vs. HYFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	20.07%	32.00%	29.23%	24.52%
HYFI AB High Yield ETF	1.96%	8.91%	7.98%	8.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FWD and HYFI is 0.54, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.54
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2023	0.53

The correlation between FWD and HYFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FWD vs. HYFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FWD

FWD Risk / Return Rank: 51
FWD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
FWD Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
FWD Omega Ratio Rank: 48
FWD Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FWD Martin Ratio Rank: 58

HYFI

HYFI Risk / Return Rank: 66
HYFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
HYFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
HYFI Omega Ratio Rank: 62
HYFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
HYFI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FWD vs. HYFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) and AB High Yield ETF (HYFI). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FWD	HYFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	1.43	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	2.20	-0.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.27	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.78	2.23	-0.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.86	9.76	-2.90

FWD vs. HYFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FWD Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the HYFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FWD and HYFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FWD vs. HYFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FWD drawdown since its inception was -29.02%, which is greater than HYFI's maximum drawdown of -6.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FWD and HYFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FWD	HYFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.02%	-6.34%	-22.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.49%	-2.49%	-18.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.02%	-6.34%	-22.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.78%	-0.48%	-15.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.26%	-0.50%	-3.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.32%	0.57%	+4.75%

Volatility

FWD vs. HYFI - Volatility Comparison

AB Disruptors ETF (FWD) has a higher volatility of 11.37% compared to AB High Yield ETF (HYFI) at 0.79%. This indicates that FWD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FWD	HYFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.37%	0.79%	+10.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.87%	3.15%	+21.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.47%	3.89%	+25.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.00%	5.26%	+20.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.00%	5.26%	+20.74%

FWD vs. HYFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FWD has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than HYFI's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

FWD vs. HYFI - Dividend Comparison

FWD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than HYFI's 6.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
FWD AB Disruptors ETF	0.09%	0.11%	1.89%	0.00%
HYFI AB High Yield ETF	6.14%	6.66%	6.57%	4.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FWD and HYFI in my portfolio?

FWD and HYFI have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FWD or HYFI?

FWD has higher volatility (11.37%) compared to HYFI (0.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FWD dropped -29.02% vs HYFI's -6.34%.

Which ETF is better, FWD or HYFI?

On 3-year performance, FWD leads with 29.50% vs 8.55% for HYFI. On fees, HYFI is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, HYFI has been the lower-risk option at 0.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FWD or HYFI?

Over the 3-year period, FWD has performed better with a 29.50% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FWD or HYFI?

HYFI is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for FWD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FWD or HYFI?

HYFI has the higher dividend yield at 6.14%, compared with 0.09% for FWD.

What is the main difference between FWD and HYFI?

FWD is categorized as Global Equities, while HYFI is High Yield Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FWD and 0.40% for HYFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.43 vs 1.24), 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.