HYG vs. VYM
HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYG returned 5.04%/yr vs 11.95%/yr for VYM. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HYG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.
Performance
HYG vs. VYM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYG achieves a 1.65% return, which is significantly lower than VYM's 12.37% return. Over the past 10 years, HYG has underperformed VYM with an annualized return of 5.04%, while VYM has yielded a comparatively higher 11.95% annualized return.
HYG
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.63%
- YTD
- 1.65%
- 6M
- 2.21%
- 1Y
- 6.81%
- 3Y*
- 8.52%
- 5Y*
- 3.75%
- 10Y*
- 5.04%
VYM
- 1D
- 0.80%
- 1M
- 1.97%
- YTD
- 12.37%
- 6M
- 11.19%
- 1Y
- 25.94%
- 3Y*
- 18.06%
- 5Y*
- 11.59%
- 10Y*
- 11.95%
HYG vs. VYM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.65% | 8.59% | 7.97% | 11.54% | -10.98% | 3.76% | 4.47% | 14.09% | -2.02% | 6.07% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 12.37% | 15.42% | 17.60% | 6.57% | -0.43% | 26.20% | 1.15% | 24.06% | -5.92% | 16.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYG and VYM is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | 0.61 |
The correlation between HYG and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
HYG vs. VYM — Risk / Return Rank
HYG
VYM
HYG vs. VYM - 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 High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.83 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.42 | -0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 3.70 | -0.92 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.25 | 13.81 | -1.56 |
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Drawdowns
HYG vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYG drawdown since its inception was -34.25%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYG and VYM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYG | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -34.25% | -56.98% | +22.73% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.34% | -6.69% | +4.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.56% | -14.46% | +9.90% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.79% | -15.84% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -22.03% | -35.21% | +13.18% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.52% | +0.52% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.24% | -7.18% | +3.94% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.53% | 1.80% | -1.27% |
Volatility
HYG vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is 1.31%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 3.31%. This indicates that HYG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYG | VYM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 3.31% | -2.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.08% | 7.81% | -4.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.87% | 10.47% | -6.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 7.53% | 13.99% | -6.46% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.29% | 16.35% | -8.06% |
HYG vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYG vs. VYM - Dividend Comparison
HYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.90%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.90% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF | 2.19% | 2.44% | 2.74% | 3.12% | 3.01% | 2.76% | 3.18% | 3.03% | 3.40% | 2.80% | 2.91% | 3.22% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYG and VYM have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VYM has higher volatility (3.31%) compared to HYG (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYG dropped -34.25% vs VYM's -56.98%.
On 10-year performance, VYM leads with 11.95% vs 5.04% for HYG. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% 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, VYM has performed better with a 11.95% return vs 5.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HYG.
HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.90%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.
HYG is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for HYG and 0.04% for VYM.
VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.68), 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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