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HYG vs. URA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

HYG vs. URA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and URA (Global X Uranium ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while URA is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYG returned 4.88%/yr vs 15.57%/yr for URA. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for URA.

Performance

HYG vs. URA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) and Global X Uranium ETF (URA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYG achieves a 1.14% return, which is significantly lower than URA's 7.47% return. Over the past 10 years, HYG has underperformed URA with an annualized return of 4.88%, while URA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.57% annualized return.

HYG

1D
0.14%
1M
-0.24%
YTD
1.14%
6M
1.72%
1Y
6.36%
3Y*
8.34%
5Y*
3.69%
10Y*
4.88%

URA

1D
1.35%
1M
-16.78%
YTD
7.47%
6M
0.63%
1Y
43.02%
3Y*
33.80%
5Y*
19.23%
10Y*
15.57%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HYG vs. URA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF		1.14%8.59%7.97%11.54%-10.98%3.76%4.47%14.09%-2.02%6.07%
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		7.47%67.18%-0.58%46.25%-11.32%57.57%41.33%-3.54%-22.11%19.36%

Correlation

The correlation between HYG and URA is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.43

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.39

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.42

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.43

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010

0.46

HYG vs. URA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
HYG
URA

Utilities

99.6%
9.2%

Real Estate

0.4%

-

Basic Materials

-

5.0%

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

58.2%

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

20.9%

Technology

-

0.9%

Utilities

HYG
99.6%
URA
9.2%

Real Estate

HYG
0.4%
URA

-

Basic Materials

HYG

-

URA
5.0%

Communication Services

HYG

-

URA

-

Consumer Cyclical

HYG

-

URA

-

Consumer Defensive

HYG

-

URA

-

Energy

HYG

-

URA
58.2%

Financial Services

HYG

-

URA

-

Healthcare

HYG

-

URA

-

Industrials

HYG

-

URA
20.9%

Technology

HYG

-

URA
0.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

Global X Uranium ETF

Often compared with HYG:
HYG vs. LQDHYG vs. JNKHYG vs. SPHYHYG vs. AGGHYG vs. USHYHYG vs. HYGHHYG vs. SHYG
Often compared with URA:
URA vs. NLRURA vs. URNMURA vs. NUKZURA vs. CCJURA vs. UUUUURA vs. URANURA vs. SPY

Return for Risk

HYG vs. URA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
HYG
HYG Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
HYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5454
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
HYG Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
HYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 6060
Calmar Ratio Rank
HYG Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
URA
URA Risk / Return Rank: 2828
Overall Rank
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 3434
Calmar Ratio Rank
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

HYG vs. URA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) and Global X Uranium ETF (URA). 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.

HYGURADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.67
0.85

+0.82

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.49
1.44

+1.05

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.17

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.73

1.52

+1.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.02

3.16

+8.86

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYG vs. URA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is higher than the URA Sharpe Ratio of 0.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYG and URA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

HYGURADifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.67

0.85

+0.82

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.49

0.44

+0.05

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.59

0.41

+0.18

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.46

-0.07

+0.52

Drawdowns

HYG vs. URA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYG drawdown since its inception was -34.25%, smaller than the maximum URA drawdown of -93.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYG and URA.

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Drawdown Indicators

HYGURADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-34.25%

-93.54%

+59.29%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.34%

-28.43%

+26.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.56%

-37.81%

+33.25%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.79%

-37.90%

+22.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-22.03%

-61.45%

+39.42%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.45%

-47.89%

+47.44%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.24%

-74.99%

+71.75%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.53%

13.66%

-13.13%

Volatility

HYG vs. URA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is 1.23%, while Global X Uranium ETF (URA) has a volatility of 16.85%. This indicates that HYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than URA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

HYGURADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.23%

16.85%

-15.62%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.05%

39.19%

-36.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.84%

51.23%

-47.39%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

7.53%

43.83%

-36.30%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

8.29%

37.84%

-29.55%

HYG vs. URA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than URA's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYG vs. URA - Dividend Comparison

HYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.93%, more than URA's 4.54% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF		5.93%5.71%6.01%5.74%5.30%4.02%4.88%4.99%5.54%5.12%5.27%5.90%
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		4.54%4.88%2.86%6.07%0.76%5.84%1.69%1.66%0.44%2.03%7.28%1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

HYG and URA have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

URA has higher volatility (16.85%) compared to HYG (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYG dropped -34.25% vs URA's -93.54%.

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 15.57% vs 4.88% for HYG. On fees, HYG is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, HYG has been the lower-risk option at 1.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 15.57% return vs 4.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

HYG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for URA.

HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.93%, compared with 4.54% for URA.

HYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while URA is Commodity Producers Equities. HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for HYG and 0.69% for URA.

HYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.67 vs 0.85), 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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