JHHY vs. YLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

JHHY (John Hancock High Yield ETF) and YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, JHHY returned 6.00% vs 5.69% for YLD. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. JHHY charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for YLD.

Performance

JHHY vs. YLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock High Yield ETF (JHHY) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHHY achieves a 1.86% return, which is significantly lower than YLD's 3.34% return.

JHHY

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: -0.14%
• 6M: 1.22%
• YTD: 1.86%
• 1Y: 6.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.21%

YLD

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -0.01%
• 6M: 2.42%
• YTD: 3.34%
• 1Y: 5.69%
• 3Y*: 8.40%
• 5Y*: 4.66%
• 10Y*: 5.58%
• ALL TIME*: 5.33%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
JHHY John Hancock High Yield ETF	$851.68K	$530.47K	$513.28K
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	$3.84M	$3.59M	$3.77M

JHHY vs. YLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
JHHY John Hancock High Yield ETF	1.86%	9.18%	7.35%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	3.34%	6.55%	6.75%

Correlation

The correlation between JHHY and YLD is 0.70, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2024	0.67

The correlation between JHHY and YLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JHHY vs. YLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JHHY

JHHY Risk / Return Rank: 69
JHHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
JHHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
JHHY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
JHHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
JHHY Martin Ratio Rank: 77

YLD

YLD Risk / Return Rank: 64
YLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
YLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
YLD Omega Ratio Rank: 52
YLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
YLD Martin Ratio Rank: 77

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JHHY vs. YLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock High Yield ETF (JHHY) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD). 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.

	JHHY	YLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	1.28	+0.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.30	1.95	+0.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.23	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	2.86	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.94	9.79	+0.15

JHHY vs. YLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the YLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHHY and YLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JHHY vs. YLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHHY drawdown since its inception was -4.95%, smaller than the maximum YLD drawdown of -28.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHHY and YLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHHY	YLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.95%	-28.34%	+23.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-1.98%	-0.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.62%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.89%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.43%	-0.14%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.39%	-2.67%	+2.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	0.58%	0.00%

Volatility

JHHY vs. YLD - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock High Yield ETF (JHHY) and Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) have volatilities of 0.80% and 0.77%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHHY	YLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.80%	0.77%	+0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.10%	3.53%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.90%	4.42%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.74%	6.38%	-1.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.74%	8.11%	-3.37%

JHHY vs. YLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHHY has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than YLD's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHHY vs. YLD - Dividend Comparison

JHHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.00%, less than YLD's 7.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JHHY John Hancock High Yield ETF	7.00%	7.21%	5.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	6.70%	7.33%	7.12%	6.46%	6.51%	3.92%	4.40%	4.81%	5.42%	6.28%	4.47%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHHY and YLD in my portfolio?

JHHY and YLD 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.

Which is riskier, JHHY or YLD?

JHHY has higher volatility (0.80%) compared to YLD (0.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHHY dropped -4.95% vs YLD's -28.34%.

Which ETF is better, JHHY or YLD?

On 1-year performance, JHHY leads with 6.00% vs 5.69% for YLD. On fees, YLD is cheaper at 0.39% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHHY or YLD?

Over the 1-year period, JHHY has performed better with a 6.00% return vs 5.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHHY or YLD?

YLD is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for JHHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JHHY or YLD?

JHHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.00%, compared with 6.70% for YLD.

What is the main difference between JHHY and YLD?

They also come from different issuers: John Hancock and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for JHHY and 0.39% for YLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.49 vs 1.28), 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.