GHY vs. VOO

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

GHY (PGIM Global High Yield Fund) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - GHY is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by PGIM, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, GHY returned 7.03%/yr vs 15.20%/yr for VOO. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GHY charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

GHY vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Global High Yield Fund (GHY) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GHY achieves a 1.61% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 10.87% return. Over the past 10 years, GHY has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 7.03%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.20% annualized return.

GHY

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.74%
• 6M: -0.88%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 1Y: -2.10%
• 3Y*: 13.18%
• 5Y*: 5.02%
• 10Y*: 7.03%

VOO

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 1.64%
• 6M: 8.98%
• YTD: 10.87%
• 1Y: 21.75%
• 3Y*: 20.31%
• 5Y*: 13.16%
• 10Y*: 15.20%

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

GHY vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GHY PGIM Global High Yield Fund	1.61%	10.46%	20.25%	17.29%	-20.04%	12.73%	6.33%	26.51%	-3.54%	4.38%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	10.87%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between GHY and VOO is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 24, 2012	0.45

The correlation between GHY and VOO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.43 to 0.50 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GHY vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

GHY

GHY Risk / Return Rank: 2
GHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
GHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
GHY Omega Ratio Rank: 2
GHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
GHY Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 67
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

GHY vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Global High Yield Fund (GHY) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	GHY	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	1.75	-1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.19	2.41	-2.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.32	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	2.45	-2.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.46	10.70	-11.16

GHY vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GHY Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GHY and VOO, 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

GHY vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GHY drawdown since its inception was -41.35%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GHY and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	GHY	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.35%	-33.99%	-7.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-8.90%	-3.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.36%	-18.69%	+2.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.50%	-24.52%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.35%	-33.99%	-7.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.66%	-0.74%	-2.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.01%	-3.67%	-2.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.62%	2.04%	+2.58%

Volatility

GHY vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for PGIM Global High Yield Fund (GHY) is 3.35%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 3.86%. This indicates that GHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GHY	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	3.86%	-0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.66%	9.96%	-1.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.04%	12.51%	-1.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.28%	16.93%	-2.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.34%	18.00%	-2.66%

GHY vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

GHY has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

GHY vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

GHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.59%, more than VOO's 1.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GHY PGIM Global High Yield Fund	10.59%	10.21%	10.23%	11.09%	11.62%	8.35%	8.67%	8.04%	7.72%	7.77%	8.53%	10.07%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.06%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GHY and VOO in my portfolio?

GHY and VOO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GHY or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (3.86%) compared to GHY (3.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GHY dropped -41.35% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.75 vs -0.19), 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.