HYMB vs. HYG
HYMB (SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF) and HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HYMB is a Municipal Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Municipal Yield, while HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYMB returned 2.36%/yr vs 4.99%/yr for HYG. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYMB charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HYG.
Performance
HYMB vs. HYG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HYMB achieves a 3.60% return, which is significantly higher than HYG's 1.54% return. Over the past 10 years, HYMB has underperformed HYG with an annualized return of 2.36%, while HYG has yielded a comparatively higher 4.99% annualized return.
HYMB
- 1D
- 0.16%
- 1M
- 1.95%
- YTD
- 3.60%
- 6M
- 3.52%
- 1Y
- 7.41%
- 3Y*
- 4.93%
- 5Y*
- 0.47%
- 10Y*
- 2.36%
HYG
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.44%
- YTD
- 1.54%
- 6M
- 1.53%
- 1Y
- 5.62%
- 3Y*
- 8.74%
- 5Y*
- 3.66%
- 10Y*
- 4.99%
HYMB vs. HYG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF | 3.60% | 2.04% | 5.52% | 7.73% | -15.54% | 5.16% | 3.74% | 9.51% | 4.91% | 3.22% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.54% | 8.59% | 7.97% | 11.54% | -10.98% | 3.76% | 4.47% | 14.09% | -2.02% | 6.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between HYMB and HYG is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.44 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 14, 2011 | 0.18 |
Over the past year, HYMB and HYG have become more correlated (0.45) than their long-term average of 0.18, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
HYMB vs. HYG — Risk / Return Rank
HYMB
HYG
HYMB vs. HYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG). 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.
| HYMB | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.28 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.40 | 2.41 | -0.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.49 | 10.57 | -2.08 |
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Drawdowns
HYMB vs. HYG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HYMB drawdown since its inception was -29.57%, smaller than the maximum HYG drawdown of -34.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYMB and HYG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HYMB | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.57% | -34.25% | +4.68% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.11% | -2.34% | -0.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -7.44% | -4.56% | -2.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.15% | -15.79% | -4.36% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.57% | -22.03% | -7.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -0.24% | +0.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.79% | -3.23% | -0.56% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.87% | 0.53% | +0.34% |
Volatility
HYMB vs. HYG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF (HYMB) is 0.85%, while iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) has a volatility of 1.13%. This indicates that HYMB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HYMB | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.85% | 1.13% | -0.28% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.19% | 3.11% | +0.08% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.04% | 3.88% | +0.16% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.67% | 7.54% | -0.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 11.36% | 8.27% | +3.09% |
HYMB vs. HYG - Expense Ratio Comparison
HYMB has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HYG's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
HYMB vs. HYG - Dividend Comparison
HYMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.51%, less than HYG's 5.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.91% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
HYMB SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond ETF | 4.51% | 4.55% | 4.29% | 4.07% | 3.77% | 3.19% | 3.55% | 3.95% | 4.03% | 3.78% | 4.08% | 4.54% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HYMB and HYG have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HYG has higher volatility (1.13%) compared to HYMB (0.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYMB dropped -29.57% vs HYG's -34.25%.
On 10-year performance, HYG leads with 4.99% vs 2.36% for HYMB. On fees, HYMB is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, HYMB has been the lower-risk option at 0.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, HYG has performed better with a 4.99% return vs 2.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYMB is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HYG.
HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 4.51% for HYMB.
HYMB is categorized as Municipal Bonds, while HYG is High Yield Bonds. HYMB tracks Bloomberg Municipal Yield, while HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HYMB and 0.49% for HYG.
HYMB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.46), 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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