HYXF vs. IBHE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HYXF (iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and IBHE (iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds from iShares - HYXF tracks the Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened while IBHE tracks the Bloomberg 2025 Term High Yield and Income Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HYXF returned 3.66%/yr vs 3.89%/yr for IBHE. A 0.70 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.35% expense ratio.

Performance

HYXF vs. IBHE - 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 iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

HYXF

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: 0.34%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 5.86%
• 3Y*: 8.56%
• 5Y*: 3.66%
• 10Y*: —

IBHE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: 0.00%
• 6M: 0.09%
• 1Y: 2.31%
• 3Y*: 6.07%
• 5Y*: 3.89%
• 10Y*: —

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

HYXF vs. IBHE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HYXF iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	0.91%	8.88%	8.35%	11.87%	-11.90%	2.60%	6.07%	6.30%
IBHE iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF	0.00%	4.45%	7.62%	10.32%	-4.08%	4.40%	4.16%	5.91%

Correlation

The correlation between HYXF and IBHE is 0.05, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.05
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2019	0.70

Over the past year, the correlation between HYXF and IBHE has dropped to 0.05 - well below their long-term average of 0.70, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

HYXF vs. IBHE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

HYXF vs. IBHE — 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: 45
HYXF Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
HYXF Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HYXF Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
HYXF Martin Ratio Rank: 59

IBHE

IBHE Risk / Return Rank: 97
IBHE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
IBHE Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
IBHE Omega Ratio Rank: 98
IBHE Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
IBHE Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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. IBHE - 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 iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHE). 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	IBHE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	3.51	-1.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.35	6.33	-3.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	2.19	-0.90
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	12.78	-10.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.32	63.40	-53.08
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. IBHE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYXF Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is lower than the IBHE Sharpe Ratio of 3.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYXF and IBHE, 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	IBHE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	3.51	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.83	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.41	+0.21

Drawdowns

HYXF vs. IBHE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYXF drawdown since its inception was -18.75%, smaller than the maximum IBHE drawdown of -26.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYXF and IBHE.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYXF	IBHE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.75%	-26.91%	+8.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.57%	-0.22%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.81%	-0.94%	-3.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.00%	-8.51%	-7.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	0.00%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.58%	-1.42%	-1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.05%	+0.52%

Volatility

HYXF vs. IBHE - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Advanced High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYXF) has a higher volatility of 1.15% compared to iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF (IBHE) at 0.00%. This indicates that HYXF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IBHE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HYXF	IBHE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.15%	0.00%	+1.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.93%	0.39%	+2.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.78%	0.78%	+3.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.04%	4.87%	+3.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.32%	11.53%	-3.21%

HYXF vs. IBHE - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HYXF and IBHE have an expense ratio of 0.35%.

Dividends

HYXF vs. IBHE - Dividend Comparison

HYXF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.09%, more than IBHE's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
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%
IBHE iShares iBonds 2025 Term High Yield & Income ETF	2.29%	4.53%	6.92%	7.17%	5.77%	4.84%	5.74%	3.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYXF and IBHE in my portfolio?

HYXF and IBHE have a correlation of 0.05, 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 IBHE?

HYXF has higher volatility (1.15%) compared to IBHE (0.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYXF dropped -18.75% vs IBHE's -26.91%.

Which ETF is better, HYXF or IBHE?

On 5-year performance, IBHE leads with 3.89% vs 3.66% for HYXF. Both ETFs have the same 0.35% expense ratio. On volatility, IBHE has been the lower-risk option at 0.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYXF or IBHE?

Over the 5-year period, IBHE has performed better with a 3.89% return vs 3.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYXF or IBHE?

HYXF and IBHE have the same expense ratio: 0.35% per year.

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

HYXF has the higher dividend yield at 6.09%, compared with 2.29% for IBHE.

What is the main difference between HYXF and IBHE?

HYXF tracks Bloomberg MSCI US High Yield Corporate Choice ESG Screened, while IBHE tracks Bloomberg 2025 Term High Yield and Income Index.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IBHE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.51 vs 1.56), 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.