IJR vs. HYG
IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, 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, IJR returned 11.30%/yr vs 5.00%/yr for HYG. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HYG.
Performance
IJR vs. HYG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IJR achieves a 19.34% return, which is significantly higher than HYG's 1.56% return. Over the past 10 years, IJR has outperformed HYG with an annualized return of 11.30%, while HYG has yielded a comparatively lower 5.00% annualized return.
IJR
- 1D
- -0.34%
- 1M
- 4.22%
- YTD
- 19.34%
- 6M
- 16.86%
- 1Y
- 34.47%
- 3Y*
- 16.15%
- 5Y*
- 6.29%
- 10Y*
- 11.30%
HYG
- 1D
- -0.09%
- 1M
- 0.46%
- YTD
- 1.56%
- 6M
- 1.74%
- 1Y
- 5.93%
- 3Y*
- 8.75%
- 5Y*
- 3.68%
- 10Y*
- 5.00%
IJR vs. HYG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 19.34% | 5.89% | 8.63% | 16.06% | -16.20% | 26.58% | 11.28% | 22.82% | -8.51% | 13.15% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.56% | 8.59% | 7.97% | 11.54% | -10.98% | 3.76% | 4.47% | 14.09% | -2.02% | 6.07% |
Correlation
The correlation between IJR and HYG is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2007 | 0.60 |
The correlation between IJR and HYG shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.70 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IJR vs. HYG — Risk / Return Rank
IJR
HYG
IJR vs. HYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) 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.
| IJR | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.29 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.99 | 2.55 | +1.44 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.39 | 11.18 | +2.21 |
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Drawdowns
IJR vs. HYG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, which is greater than HYG's maximum drawdown of -34.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and HYG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IJR | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.15% | -34.25% | -23.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.68% | -2.34% | -6.34% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.02% | -4.56% | -23.46% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -28.02% | -15.79% | -12.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.36% | -22.03% | -22.33% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.43% | -0.21% | -0.22% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.26% | -3.23% | -6.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.58% | 0.53% | +2.05% |
Volatility
IJR vs. HYG - Volatility Comparison
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) has a higher volatility of 4.96% compared to iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) at 1.13%. This indicates that IJR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| IJR | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.96% | 1.13% | +3.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.06% | 3.11% | +8.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.73% | 3.88% | +13.85% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 21.40% | 7.54% | +13.86% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.90% | 8.27% | +14.63% |
IJR vs. HYG - Expense Ratio Comparison
IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than HYG's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
IJR vs. HYG - Dividend Comparison
IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.15%, 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% |
IJR iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.15% | 1.44% | 2.05% | 1.31% | 1.41% | 1.53% | 1.11% | 1.44% | 1.58% | 1.20% | 1.22% | 1.48% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IJR and HYG have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IJR has higher volatility (4.96%) compared to HYG (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs HYG's -34.25%.
On 10-year performance, IJR leads with 11.30% vs 5.00% for HYG. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, HYG has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IJR has performed better with a 11.30% return vs 5.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HYG.
HYG has the higher dividend yield at 5.91%, compared with 1.15% for IJR.
IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while HYG is High Yield Bonds. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.49% for HYG.
IJR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 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.
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