HDLB vs. VYM
HDLB (ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HDLB is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive US High Dividend Low Volatility (USD)(TR) (200%), while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HDLB returned 11.24%/yr vs 11.48%/yr for VYM. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HDLB charges 1.65%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
HDLB vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HDLB achieves a 9.69% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.47% return.
HDLB
- 1D
- -1.72%
- 1M
- -4.18%
- YTD
- 9.69%
- 6M
- 8.78%
- 1Y
- 17.78%
- 3Y*
- 26.82%
- 5Y*
- 11.24%
- 10Y*
- —
VYM
- 1D
- -0.43%
- 1M
- 3.38%
- YTD
- 12.47%
- 6M
- 12.01%
- 1Y
- 26.16%
- 3Y*
- 18.88%
- 5Y*
- 11.48%
- 10Y*
- 11.90%
HDLB vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HDLB ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B | 9.69% | 27.26% | 28.21% | -4.12% | -11.46% | 62.67% | -50.94% | 7.93% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.47% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 5.70% |
Correlation
The correlation between HDLB and VYM is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.62 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2019 | 0.75 |
Over the past year, the correlation between HDLB and VYM has dropped to 0.54 - well below their long-term average of 0.75, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
HDLB vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
HDLB
VYM
HDLB vs. VYM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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.
| HDLB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.54 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 1.46 | -0.33 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.23 | 3.93 | -2.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.69 | 14.76 | -12.06 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HDLB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.68 | 2.56 | -1.89 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 | 0.83 | -0.46 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.73 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.10 | 0.51 | -0.41 |
Drawdowns
HDLB vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HDLB drawdown since its inception was -78.70%, which is greater than VYM's maximum drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HDLB and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HDLB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -78.70% | -56.98% | -21.72% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.50% | -6.69% | -7.81% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.46% | -14.46% | -8.00% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.81% | -15.84% | -27.97% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -35.21% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -14.15% | -0.43% | -13.72% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -27.47% | -7.19% | -20.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.62% | 1.78% | +4.84% |
Volatility
HDLB vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B (HDLB) has a higher volatility of 6.21% compared to Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) at 2.77%. This indicates that HDLB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HDLB | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.21% | 2.77% | +3.44% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.14% | 7.67% | +10.47% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.46% | 10.28% | +16.18% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 30.55% | 13.96% | +16.59% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 43.58% | 16.34% | +27.24% |
HDLB vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
HDLB has a 1.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
HDLB vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
HDLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.13%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HDLB ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged US High Dividend Low Volatility ETN Series B | 12.13% | 12.20% | 10.09% | 12.36% | 10.86% | 8.07% | 16.23% | 0.97% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HDLB and VYM 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.
HDLB has higher volatility (6.21%) compared to VYM (2.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HDLB dropped -78.70% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 5-year performance, VYM leads with 11.48% vs 11.24% for HDLB. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, VYM has been the lower-risk option at 2.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VYM has performed better with a 11.48% return vs 11.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 1.65% for HDLB.
HDLB has the higher dividend yield at 12.13%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
HDLB is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VYM is Dividend. HDLB tracks Solactive US High Dividend Low Volatility (USD)(TR) (200%), while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.65% for HDLB and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 0.68), 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.
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