HYXU vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HYXU (iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - HYXU tracks the BBG Pan-European High Yield (Euro) Total Return 100% USD Hedged Index while HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. HYXU charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

HYXU vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

HYXU

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: —
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: 3.92%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 10.30%
• 3Y*: 11.00%
• 5Y*: 3.04%
• 10Y*: 4.65%

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

HYXU vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
HYXU iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF	0.00%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	0.21%

HYXU vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HYXU	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

HYXU vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
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.

HYXU vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF (HYXU) 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HYXU	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.39	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	—	0.54	—

Drawdowns

HYXU vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYXU drawdown since its inception was 0.00%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYXU and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYXU	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-30.96%	+30.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.73%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.23%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.10%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	0.00%	-4.40%	+4.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.67%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HYXU	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.33%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	3.24%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.00%	4.33%	-4.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.00%	7.49%	-7.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.00%	9.27%	-9.27%

HYXU vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HYXU vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

HYXU has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HYEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.52%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.52%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%
HYXU iShares Euro High Yield Corporate Bond USD Hedged ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ETF is better, HYXU or HYEM?

On fees, HYXU is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYXU or HYEM?

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

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.52%, compared with 0.00% for HYXU.

What is the main difference between HYXU and HYEM?

HYXU tracks BBG Pan-European High Yield (Euro) Total Return 100% USD Hedged Index, 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 HYXU and 0.40% for HYEM.