HYEM vs. IGRO
HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and IGRO (iShares International Dividend Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYEM is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index, while IGRO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index (Net). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYEM returned 4.72%/yr vs 9.08%/yr for IGRO. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYEM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for IGRO.
Performance
HYEM vs. IGRO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYEM achieves a 3.86% return, which is significantly lower than IGRO's 7.79% return. Over the past 10 years, HYEM has underperformed IGRO with an annualized return of 4.72%, while IGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 9.08% annualized return.
HYEM
- 1D
- 0.20%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 3.86%
- 6M
- 4.24%
- 1Y
- 9.18%
- 3Y*
- 10.57%
- 5Y*
- 2.92%
- 10Y*
- 4.72%
IGRO
- 1D
- 0.23%
- 1M
- 0.89%
- YTD
- 7.79%
- 6M
- 9.17%
- 1Y
- 14.94%
- 3Y*
- 15.50%
- 5Y*
- 7.69%
- 10Y*
- 9.08%
HYEM vs. IGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 3.86% | 9.24% | 12.14% | 8.35% | -13.39% | -1.31% | 6.87% | 12.85% | -3.38% | 7.94% |
IGRO iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | 7.79% | 25.03% | 7.78% | 15.38% | -12.72% | 9.94% | 7.71% | 26.13% | -14.86% | 24.64% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYEM and IGRO is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2016 | 0.40 |
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Return for Risk
HYEM vs. IGRO — Risk / Return Rank
HYEM
IGRO
HYEM vs. IGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) and iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO). 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.
| HYEM | IGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.06 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.20 | +0.22 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.44 | 1.39 | +2.05 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 14.00 | 5.17 | +8.83 |
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Drawdowns
HYEM vs. IGRO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYEM drawdown since its inception was -30.96%, smaller than the maximum IGRO drawdown of -36.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYEM and IGRO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYEM | IGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -30.96% | -36.25% | +5.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.73% | -10.00% | +7.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.23% | -11.13% | +5.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -26.30% | -26.04% | -0.26% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -30.96% | -36.25% | +5.29% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.15% | -1.02% | +0.87% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.39% | -5.67% | +1.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.67% | 2.70% | -2.03% |
Volatility
HYEM vs. IGRO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) is 1.31%, while iShares International Dividend Growth ETF (IGRO) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that HYEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYEM | IGRO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 3.59% | -2.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.21% | 10.65% | -7.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.36% | 12.71% | -8.35% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.50% | 13.95% | -6.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 9.27% | 16.85% | -7.58% |
HYEM vs. IGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYEM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than IGRO's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYEM vs. IGRO - Dividend Comparison
HYEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.53%, more than IGRO's 2.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 6.53% | 6.67% | 6.34% | 6.27% | 6.47% | 5.33% | 5.56% | 6.14% | 5.71% | 5.86% | 6.25% | 7.64% |
IGRO iShares International Dividend Growth ETF | 2.36% | 2.51% | 2.44% | 2.79% | 2.69% | 2.27% | 2.41% | 2.65% | 2.97% | 2.43% | 1.18% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYEM and IGRO have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGRO has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to HYEM (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYEM dropped -30.96% vs IGRO's -36.25%.
On 10-year performance, IGRO leads with 9.08% vs 4.72% for HYEM. On fees, IGRO is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, HYEM has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IGRO has performed better with a 9.08% return vs 4.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IGRO is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for HYEM.
HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 2.36% for IGRO.
HYEM is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while IGRO is Foreign Large Cap Equities. HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index, while IGRO tracks Morningstar Global ex-US Dividend Growth Index (Net). They also come from different issuers: VanEck and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for HYEM and 0.15% for IGRO.
HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.10), 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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