HYG vs. VDC
HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and VDC (Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while VDC is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYG returned 5.03%/yr vs 7.99%/yr for VDC. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VDC.
Performance
HYG vs. VDC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYG achieves a 1.78% return, which is significantly lower than VDC's 10.18% return. Over the past 10 years, HYG has underperformed VDC with an annualized return of 5.03%, while VDC has yielded a comparatively higher 7.99% annualized return.
HYG
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 1.25%
- YTD
- 1.78%
- 6M
- 2.29%
- 1Y
- 6.95%
- 3Y*
- 8.47%
- 5Y*
- 3.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.03%
VDC
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- 0.10%
- YTD
- 10.18%
- 6M
- 8.00%
- 1Y
- 8.20%
- 3Y*
- 8.39%
- 5Y*
- 7.45%
- 10Y*
- 7.99%
HYG vs. VDC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.78% | 8.59% | 7.97% | 11.54% | -10.98% | 3.76% | 4.47% | 14.09% | -2.02% | 6.07% |
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 10.18% | 2.17% | 13.30% | 2.38% | -1.79% | 17.64% | 10.86% | 26.11% | -7.79% | 11.85% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYG and VDC is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.29 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | 0.46 |
Over the past year, the correlation between HYG and VDC has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
HYG vs. VDC — Risk / Return Rank
HYG
VDC
HYG vs. VDC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) and Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC). 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.
| HYG | VDC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.69 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.12 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.98 | 0.89 | +2.10 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.11 | 1.80 | +11.31 |
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Drawdowns
HYG vs. VDC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYG drawdown since its inception was -34.25%, roughly equal to the maximum VDC drawdown of -34.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYG and VDC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYG | VDC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.25% | -34.24% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.34% | -9.28% | +6.94% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.56% | -11.78% | +7.22% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.79% | -16.55% | +0.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.03% | -25.31% | +3.28% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -4.68% | +4.68% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.24% | -3.73% | +0.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.53% | 4.58% | -4.05% |
Volatility
HYG vs. VDC - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is 1.31%, while Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC) has a volatility of 4.63%. This indicates that HYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYG | VDC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 4.63% | -3.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.08% | 10.00% | -6.92% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.87% | 12.53% | -8.66% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.53% | 13.18% | -5.65% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.29% | 14.66% | -6.37% |
HYG vs. VDC - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VDC's 0.09% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYG vs. VDC - Dividend Comparison
HYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.89%, more than VDC's 2.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.89% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
VDC Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF | 2.08% | 2.26% | 2.33% | 2.65% | 2.37% | 2.14% | 2.50% | 2.44% | 2.78% | 2.52% | 2.39% | 2.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYG and VDC have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VDC has higher volatility (4.63%) compared to HYG (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYG dropped -34.25% vs VDC's -34.24%.
On 10-year performance, VDC leads with 7.99% vs 5.03% for HYG. On fees, VDC is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, HYG 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, VDC has performed better with a 7.99% return vs 5.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VDC is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HYG.
HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.89%, compared with 2.08% for VDC.
HYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VDC is Consumer Staples Equities. HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while VDC tracks MSCI US Investable Market Consumer Staples 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for HYG and 0.09% for VDC.
HYG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs 0.66), 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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