HYEM vs. SNLN

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) and SNLN (Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index while SNLN tracks the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index. Both are passively managed. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYEM charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SNLN.

Performance

HYEM vs. SNLN - 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 Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF (SNLN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

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%

SNLN

• 1D: —
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HYEM vs. SNLN - 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%
SNLN Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.84%	-3.76%	2.05%	-5.73%	7.03%	-0.95%	1.66%

Correlation

The correlation between HYEM and SNLN is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.01
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2012	0.20

The correlation between HYEM and SNLN shifts across timeframes, from 0.01 (3 years) to 0.21 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYEM vs. SNLN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

HYEM vs. SNLN — 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

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. SNLN - 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 Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF (SNLN). 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	SNLN	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.43	—	—
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	—	—
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	—	—
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	—	—
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.70	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HYEM	SNLN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	—	—

Drawdowns

Drawdown Indicators

	HYEM	SNLN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.73%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.23%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	—	—
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.40%	—	—
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HYEM	SNLN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.40%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.24%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.33%	—	—
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.49%	—	—
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.28%	—	—

HYEM vs. SNLN - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYEM has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than SNLN's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYEM vs. SNLN - Dividend Comparison

HYEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.52%, while SNLN has not paid dividends to shareholders.

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%
SNLN Highland iBoxx Senior Loan ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	5.50%	4.88%	2.83%	3.21%	4.72%	5.03%	4.75%	4.36%	4.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYEM and SNLN in my portfolio?

HYEM and SNLN have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HYEM or SNLN?

On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYEM or SNLN?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SNLN.

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.52%, compared with 0.00% for SNLN.

What is the main difference between HYEM and SNLN?

HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index, while SNLN tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid Leveraged Loan Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Highland Capital Management. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for HYEM and 0.75% for SNLN.