HYZD vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HYZD (WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - HYZD tracks the WisdomTree U.S. High Yield Corporate Bond, Zero Duration Index while HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, HYZD returned 5.56%/yr vs 4.66%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HYZD charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

HYZD vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund (HYZD) 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, HYZD achieves a 2.42% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 4.02% return. Over the past 10 years, HYZD has outperformed HYEM with an annualized return of 5.56%, while HYEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.66% annualized return.

HYZD

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 2.42%
• 6M: 3.22%
• 1Y: 7.66%
• 3Y*: 9.25%
• 5Y*: 6.20%
• 10Y*: 5.56%

HYEM

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 4.02%
• 6M: 4.56%
• 1Y: 10.47%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 3.09%
• 10Y*: 4.66%

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

HYZD vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HYZD WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund	2.42%	7.67%	9.39%	11.17%	-2.35%	6.27%	-0.63%	9.17%	-2.21%	6.32%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	4.02%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between HYZD and HYEM is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 19, 2013	0.27

The correlation between HYZD and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.37 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

HYZD vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

HYZD vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

HYZD

HYZD Risk / Return Rank: 80
HYZD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
HYZD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
HYZD Omega Ratio Rank: 82
HYZD Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
HYZD Martin Ratio Rank: 82

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
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.

HYZD vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund (HYZD) 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.

	HYZD	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.44	2.43	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.91	3.55	+0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.50	1.48	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.96	3.84	+0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	16.83	15.70	+1.13
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HYZD vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HYZD Sharpe Ratio is 2.44, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HYZD 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

	HYZD	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44	2.43	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93	0.41	+0.51
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.50	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.54	-0.04

Drawdowns

HYZD vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HYZD drawdown since its inception was -25.66%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HYZD and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	HYZD	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.66%	-30.96%	+5.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.91%	-2.73%	+0.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.85%	-5.23%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-8.97%	-26.30%	+17.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.66%	-30.96%	+5.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	0.00%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.20%	-4.40%	+2.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.45%	0.67%	-0.22%

Volatility

HYZD vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund (HYZD) is 0.96%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.40%. This indicates that HYZD 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

	HYZD	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	1.40%	-0.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.35%	3.24%	-0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.15%	4.33%	-1.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.70%	7.49%	-0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.57%	9.28%	-0.71%

HYZD vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

HYZD has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

HYZD vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

HYZD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.89%, less than HYEM's 6.52% yield.

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%
HYZD WisdomTree Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond Fund	5.89%	6.05%	6.08%	5.94%	5.14%	4.02%	5.13%	5.50%	5.58%	4.94%	5.07%	4.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HYZD and HYEM in my portfolio?

HYZD and HYEM have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HYZD or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.40%) compared to HYZD (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HYZD dropped -25.66% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, HYZD or HYEM?

On 10-year performance, HYZD leads with 5.56% vs 4.66% for HYEM. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, HYZD has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HYZD or HYEM?

Over the 10-year period, HYZD has performed better with a 5.56% return vs 4.66%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HYZD or HYEM?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.43% for HYZD.

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.52%, compared with 5.89% for HYZD.

What is the main difference between HYZD and HYEM?

HYZD tracks WisdomTree U.S. High Yield Corporate Bond, Zero Duration Index, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for HYZD and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYZD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 2.43), 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.