HIO vs. DHF

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

HIO (Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc) and DHF (Dimensional High Yield Fund) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, HIO returned 5.91%/yr vs 5.54%/yr for DHF. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIO charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for DHF.

Performance

HIO vs. DHF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO) and Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIO achieves a 2.95% return, which is significantly higher than DHF's 0.33% return. Over the past 10 years, HIO has outperformed DHF with an annualized return of 5.91%, while DHF has yielded a comparatively lower 5.54% annualized return.

HIO

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 2.95%
• 6M: 2.82%
• 1Y: 3.61%
• 3Y*: 9.61%
• 5Y*: 2.74%
• 10Y*: 5.91%

DHF

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.52%
• YTD: 0.33%
• 6M: 0.23%
• 1Y: 2.75%
• 3Y*: 12.25%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 5.54%

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

HIO vs. DHF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HIO Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc	2.95%	5.33%	13.58%	8.07%	-17.09%	12.80%	6.07%	24.23%	-7.60%	8.97%
DHF Dimensional High Yield Fund	0.33%	5.67%	21.12%	15.00%	-22.70%	10.35%	6.46%	24.68%	-11.11%	8.43%

Correlation

The correlation between HIO and DHF is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 27, 1998	0.37

The correlation between HIO and DHF shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (all time) to 0.49 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HIO vs. DHF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIO

HIO Risk / Return Rank: 5
HIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Omega Ratio Rank: 5
HIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
HIO Martin Ratio Rank: 5

DHF

DHF Risk / Return Rank: 4
DHF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
DHF Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
DHF Omega Ratio Rank: 4
DHF Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
DHF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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.

HIO vs. DHF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO) and Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF). 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.

	HIO	DHF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	0.23	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.54	0.44	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.05	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.54	0.32	+0.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.16	0.88	+0.28

HIO vs. DHF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIO Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is higher than the DHF Sharpe Ratio of 0.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIO and DHF, 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

HIO vs. DHF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIO drawdown since its inception was -49.69%, smaller than the maximum DHF drawdown of -71.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIO and DHF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIO	DHF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.69%	-71.32%	+21.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.70%	-8.66%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-11.81%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.18%	-37.82%	+11.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.57%	-42.94%	+2.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.89%	-3.85%	+1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.45%	-22.99%	+16.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	3.13%	-0.02%

Volatility

HIO vs. DHF - Volatility Comparison

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc (HIO) has a higher volatility of 2.62% compared to Dimensional High Yield Fund (DHF) at 2.44%. This indicates that HIO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DHF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIO	DHF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.62%	2.44%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.89%	9.46%	-1.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.34%	11.92%	-1.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	15.76%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.96%	17.74%	-1.78%

HIO vs. DHF - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIO has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than DHF's 0.04% 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

HIO vs. DHF - Dividend Comparison

HIO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.70%, more than DHF's 8.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DHF Dimensional High Yield Fund	8.75%	8.47%	8.14%	7.86%	10.12%	8.24%	8.60%	8.52%	10.41%	8.98%	9.76%	11.30%
HIO Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc	11.70%	11.48%	10.84%	9.90%	9.11%	7.02%	7.86%	6.91%	7.31%	7.04%	8.44%	9.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIO and DHF in my portfolio?

HIO and DHF have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIO or DHF?

HIO has higher volatility (2.62%) compared to DHF (2.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIO dropped -49.69% vs DHF's -71.32%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.35 vs 0.23), 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.