HYXF vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HYXF (iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - HYXF tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened while HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HYXF returned 3.68%/yr vs 3.02%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYXF charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

HYXF vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) 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, HYXF achieves a 1.01% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.81% return.

HYXF

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 1.57%
• 1Y: 5.76%
• 3Y*: 8.71%
• 5Y*: 3.68%
• 10Y*: —

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)

HYXF vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYXF iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.01%	8.88%	8.35%	11.87%	-11.90%	2.60%	6.07%	14.87%	-0.24%	6.89%
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 HYXF and HYEM is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2016	0.43

The correlation between HYXF and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.43 (all time) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYXF vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

HYXF vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYXF

HYXF Risk / Return Rank: 49
HYXF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
HYXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
HYXF Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HYXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
HYXF Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

HYXF vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) 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.

	HYXF	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.54	2.33	-0.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.42	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.46	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.25	3.71	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.15	15.14	-4.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYXF vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.54, which is lower than the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYXF 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

	HYXF	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.54	2.33	-0.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.40	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.62	0.54	+0.08

Drawdowns

HYXF vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYXF drawdown since its inception was -18.75%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYXF and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYXF	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.75%	-30.96%	+12.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.57%	-2.73%	+0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.81%	-5.23%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.00%	-26.30%	+10.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-0.20%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-4.40%	+1.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.67%	-0.10%

Volatility

HYXF vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) is 1.15%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that HYXF 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

	HYXF	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	1.32%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.92%	3.21%	-0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.77%	4.33%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.04%	7.49%	+0.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.32%	9.27%	-0.95%

HYXF vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYXF has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYXF vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

HYXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, less 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%
HYXF iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	6.09%	6.19%	6.40%	5.93%	5.37%	4.56%	4.96%	5.29%	6.14%	5.85%	3.16%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYXF and HYEM in my portfolio?

HYXF and HYEM have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYXF or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to HYXF (1.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYXF dropped -18.75% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, HYXF or HYEM?

On 5-year performance, HYXF leads with 3.68% vs 3.02% for HYEM. On fees, HYXF is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, HYXF has been the lower-risk option at 1.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYXF or HYEM?

Over the 5-year period, HYXF has performed better with a 3.68% return vs 3.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYXF or HYEM?

HYXF is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for HYEM.

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 6.09% for HYXF.

What is the main difference between HYXF and HYEM?

HYXF tracks Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for HYXF and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.54), 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.