HYGH vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HYGH (iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. HYGH is actively managed, while HYEM is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYGH returned 6.31%/yr vs 4.63%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYGH charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

HYGH vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HYGH achieves a 2.94% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.81% return. Over the past 10 years, HYGH has outperformed HYEM with an annualized return of 6.31%, while HYEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.63% annualized return.

HYGH

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 2.94%
• 6M: 3.59%
• 1Y: 7.78%
• 3Y*: 9.83%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 6.31%

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: 4.63%

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

HYGH vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	2.94%	6.94%	11.22%	12.17%	-0.92%	5.82%	0.54%	11.09%	-0.85%	6.38%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.81%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between HYGH and HYEM is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.35
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2014	0.38

The correlation between HYGH and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.29 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYGH vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYGH	HYEM
Utilities	99.6%	-
Real Estate	0.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

HYGH vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYGH

HYGH Risk / Return Rank: 76
HYGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
HYGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
HYGH Omega Ratio Rank: 69
HYGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
HYGH Martin Ratio Rank: 87

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
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.

HYGH vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). 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.

	HYGH	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	2.33	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	3.42	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.46	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.82	3.71	+1.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.86	15.14	+3.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYGH vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYGH Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYGH and HYEM, 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

	HYGH	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.14	2.33	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99	0.40	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.50	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.54	+0.02

Drawdowns

HYGH vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYGH drawdown since its inception was -23.88%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYGH and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYGH	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.88%	-30.96%	+7.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.62%	-2.73%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.06%	-5.23%	-2.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.24%	-26.30%	+18.06%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.88%	-30.96%	+7.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.20%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.23%	-4.40%	+2.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.41%	0.67%	-0.26%

Volatility

HYGH vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) is 0.61%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that HYGH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYGH	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	1.32%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.84%	3.21%	-0.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.65%	4.33%	-0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.07%	7.49%	-0.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.35%	9.27%	-0.92%

HYGH vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYGH has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYGH vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

HYGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.62%, more than HYEM's 6.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.53%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%
HYGH iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF	6.62%	6.86%	7.85%	8.95%	6.21%	3.74%	4.06%	4.89%	6.45%	4.79%	4.60%	5.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYGH and HYEM in my portfolio?

HYGH and HYEM have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYGH or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to HYGH (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYGH dropped -23.88% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, HYGH or HYEM?

On 10-year performance, HYGH leads with 6.31% vs 4.63% for HYEM. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, HYGH has been the lower-risk option at 0.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYGH or HYEM?

Over the 10-year period, HYGH has performed better with a 6.31% return vs 4.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYGH or HYEM?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for HYGH.

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

HYGH has the higher dividend yield at 6.62%, compared with 6.53% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between HYGH and HYEM?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for HYGH and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.14), 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.