IQHI vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

IQHI (IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. IQHI is actively managed, while HYEM is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQHI returned 8.35%/yr vs 10.70%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

IQHI vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF (IQHI) 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, IQHI achieves a 1.59% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.66% return.

IQHI

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 2.22%
• 1Y: 7.00%
• 3Y*: 8.35%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HYEM

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 3.66%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 9.57%
• 3Y*: 10.70%
• 5Y*: 2.99%
• 10Y*: 4.57%

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

IQHI vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQHI IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF	1.59%	8.59%	6.98%	12.40%	2.78%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.66%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	11.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IQHI and HYEM is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2022	0.43

IQHI vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQHI	HYEM
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-
Financial Services	-0.0%	-

Return for Risk

IQHI vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQHI

IQHI Risk / Return Rank: 64
IQHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
IQHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
IQHI Omega Ratio Rank: 65
IQHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
IQHI Martin Ratio Rank: 70

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 74
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 77
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

IQHI vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF (IQHI) 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.

	IQHI	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	2.22	-0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	3.26	-0.45
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.44	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.86	3.53	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.24	14.39	-2.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQHI vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQHI Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQHI 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

	IQHI	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	2.22	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.84	0.54	+1.31

Drawdowns

IQHI vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQHI drawdown since its inception was -4.19%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQHI and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQHI	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.19%	-30.96%	+26.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.46%	-2.73%	+0.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.97%	-5.23%	+1.26%
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	-0.37%	-0.35%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.62%	-4.40%	+3.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.67%	-0.10%

Volatility

IQHI vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF (IQHI) has a higher volatility of 1.78% compared to VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) at 1.17%. This indicates that IQHI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQHI	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.78%	1.17%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.08%	3.18%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.73%	4.34%	-0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.89%	7.49%	-2.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.89%	9.27%	-4.38%

IQHI vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IQHI and HYEM have an expense ratio of 0.40%.

Dividends

IQHI vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

IQHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.59%, more than HYEM's 6.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.54%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%
IQHI IQ MacKay ESG High Income ETF	7.59%	7.88%	8.83%	6.92%	1.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQHI and HYEM in my portfolio?

IQHI and HYEM have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQHI or HYEM?

IQHI has higher volatility (1.78%) compared to HYEM (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQHI dropped -4.19% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, IQHI or HYEM?

On 3-year performance, HYEM leads with 10.70% vs 8.35% for IQHI. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, HYEM has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQHI or HYEM?

Over the 3-year period, HYEM has performed better with a 10.70% return vs 8.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQHI or HYEM?

IQHI and HYEM have the same expense ratio: 0.40% per year.

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

IQHI has the higher dividend yield at 7.59%, compared with 6.54% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between IQHI and HYEM?

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs 1.88), 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.