HYEM vs. JNK

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and JNK (SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index while JNK tracks the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYEM returned 4.66%/yr vs 5.03%/yr for JNK. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

HYEM vs. JNK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) and SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYEM achieves a 4.02% return, which is significantly higher than JNK's 1.73% return. Over the past 10 years, HYEM has underperformed JNK with an annualized return of 4.66%, while JNK has yielded a comparatively higher 5.03% annualized return.

HYEM

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 4.02%
• 6M: 4.56%
• 1Y: 10.47%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: 4.66%

JNK

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 7.72%
• 3Y*: 8.70%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: 5.03%

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

HYEM vs. JNK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	4.02%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	1.73%	8.76%	7.71%	12.42%	-12.19%	4.00%	4.95%	14.88%	-3.28%	6.49%

Correlation

The correlation between HYEM and JNK 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	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2012	0.46

The correlation between HYEM and JNK shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYEM vs. JNK - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYEM	JNK
Industrials	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.0%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	0.0%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

HYEM vs. JNK — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

JNK

JNK Risk / Return Rank: 64
JNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
JNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
JNK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
JNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
JNK Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

HYEM vs. JNK - 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 SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK). 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.

	HYEM	JNK	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	2.03	+0.39
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	3.09	+0.46
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.39	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.08	+0.76
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.70	13.61	+2.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYEM vs. JNK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.43, which is comparable to the JNK Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYEM and JNK, 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

	HYEM	JNK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	2.03	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.50	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.61	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.42	+0.12

Drawdowns

HYEM vs. JNK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYEM drawdown since its inception was -30.96%, smaller than the maximum JNK drawdown of -38.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYEM and JNK.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYEM	JNK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.96%	-38.48%	+7.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.73%	-2.51%	-0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.23%	-5.02%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.30%	-16.67%	-9.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.96%	-22.89%	-8.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.04%	+0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.40%	-3.70%	-0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.57%	+0.10%

Volatility

HYEM vs. JNK - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a higher volatility of 1.40% compared to SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) at 1.16%. This indicates that HYEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JNK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYEM	JNK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	1.16%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.24%	2.96%	+0.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.33%	3.81%	+0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.49%	7.54%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.28%	8.31%	+0.97%

HYEM vs. JNK - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HYEM and JNK have an expense ratio of 0.40%.

Dividends

HYEM vs. JNK - Dividend Comparison

HYEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.52%, less than JNK's 6.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.52%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	6.61%	6.54%	6.63%	6.38%	6.06%	4.27%	5.11%	5.44%	5.90%	5.60%	6.06%	6.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYEM and JNK in my portfolio?

HYEM and JNK 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, HYEM or JNK?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to JNK (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYEM dropped -30.96% vs JNK's -38.48%.

Which ETF is better, HYEM or JNK?

On 10-year performance, JNK leads with 5.03% vs 4.66% for HYEM. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, JNK has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYEM or JNK?

Over the 10-year period, JNK has performed better with a 5.03% return vs 4.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYEM or JNK?

HYEM and JNK have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HYEM or JNK?

JNK has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 6.52% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between HYEM and JNK?

HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index, while JNK tracks Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.03), 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.