GHYG vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GHYG (iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF) and XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GHYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx Global Developed Markets High Yield Index, while XLK is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GHYG returned 4.76%/yr vs 25.62%/yr for XLK. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GHYG charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLK.

Performance

GHYG vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GHYG achieves a 0.58% return, which is significantly lower than XLK's 34.34% return. Over the past 10 years, GHYG has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 4.76%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.62% annualized return.

GHYG

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 0.58%
• 6M: 1.41%
• 1Y: 6.29%
• 3Y*: 8.95%
• 5Y*: 3.27%
• 10Y*: 4.76%

XLK

• 1D: -1.56%
• 1M: 16.63%
• YTD: 34.34%
• 6M: 33.10%
• 1Y: 64.08%
• 3Y*: 33.46%
• 5Y*: 23.44%
• 10Y*: 25.62%

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

GHYG vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GHYG iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF	0.58%	11.28%	5.85%	13.29%	-12.15%	1.62%	6.68%	13.47%	-3.79%	8.97%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	34.34%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between GHYG and XLK is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 2012	0.45

The correlation between GHYG and XLK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

GHYG vs. XLK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GHYG	XLK
Utilities	99.5%	-
Real Estate	0.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.2%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	0.1%
Technology	-	99.7%

Return for Risk

GHYG vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

GHYG

GHYG Risk / Return Rank: 38
GHYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
GHYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
GHYG Omega Ratio Rank: 38
GHYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
GHYG Martin Ratio Rank: 39

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 82
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
XLK 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.

GHYG vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	GHYG	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	3.09	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.77	-1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.49	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.64	4.04	-2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.14	13.55	-7.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GHYG vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GHYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GHYG and XLK, 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

	GHYG	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.35	3.09	-1.74
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	0.95	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	1.05	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.41	+0.14

Drawdowns

GHYG vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GHYG drawdown since its inception was -27.36%, smaller than the maximum XLK drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GHYG and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	GHYG	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.36%	-82.05%	+54.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.84%	-15.92%	+12.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.46%	-25.66%	+21.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.44%	-33.56%	+13.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.36%	-33.56%	+6.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.78%	-2.54%	+1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.35%	-34.95%	+31.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.03%	4.74%	-3.71%

Volatility

GHYG vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF (GHYG) is 1.91%, while State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) has a volatility of 7.27%. This indicates that GHYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GHYG	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	7.27%	-5.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.83%	16.76%	-12.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.69%	20.86%	-16.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.64%	24.90%	-17.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.77%	24.49%	-15.72%

GHYG vs. XLK - Expense Ratio Comparison

GHYG has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than XLK's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GHYG vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

GHYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.24%, more than XLK's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GHYG iShares US & Intl High Yield Corp Bond ETF	6.24%	6.03%	6.11%	5.60%	4.64%	4.57%	4.36%	4.61%	5.62%	4.60%	4.61%	4.79%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.40%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GHYG and XLK in my portfolio?

GHYG and XLK have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GHYG or XLK?

XLK has higher volatility (7.27%) compared to GHYG (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GHYG dropped -27.36% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which ETF is better, GHYG or XLK?

On 10-year performance, XLK leads with 25.62% vs 4.76% for GHYG. On fees, XLK is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GHYG has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GHYG or XLK?

Over the 10-year period, XLK has performed better with a 25.62% return vs 4.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GHYG or XLK?

XLK is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GHYG.

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

GHYG has the higher dividend yield at 6.24%, compared with 0.40% for XLK.

What is the main difference between GHYG and XLK?

GHYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while XLK is Technology Equities. GHYG tracks Markit iBoxx Global Developed Markets High Yield Index, while XLK tracks S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GHYG and 0.08% for XLK.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 1.35), 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.