JNK vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JNK (SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - JNK tracks the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid 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, JNK returned 5.01%/yr vs 4.65%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.40% expense ratio.

Performance

JNK vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) 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, JNK achieves a 1.51% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.92% return. Over the past 10 years, JNK has outperformed HYEM with an annualized return of 5.01%, while HYEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.65% annualized return.

JNK

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 1.51%
• 6M: 1.97%
• 1Y: 7.24%
• 3Y*: 8.63%
• 5Y*: 3.68%
• 10Y*: 5.01%

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)

JNK vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	1.51%	8.76%	7.71%	12.42%	-12.19%	4.00%	4.95%	14.88%	-3.28%	6.49%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.92%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between JNK and HYEM is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2012	0.46

The correlation between JNK and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.59 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

JNK vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

JNK vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

JNK

JNK Risk / Return Rank: 60
JNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
JNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
JNK Omega Ratio Rank: 58
JNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
JNK Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

JNK vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) 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.

	JNK	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.39	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.50	-0.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.47	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.79	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.79	15.48	-2.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JNK vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNK Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNK 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

	JNK	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	2.39	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.41	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.50	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.54	-0.12

Drawdowns

JNK vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNK drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, which is greater than HYEM's maximum drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNK and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNK	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-30.96%	-7.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-2.73%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.02%	-5.23%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.67%	-26.30%	+9.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.89%	-30.96%	+8.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.10%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-4.40%	+0.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.67%	-0.10%

Volatility

JNK vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is 1.13%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.33%. This indicates that JNK 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

	JNK	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.33%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	3.24%	-0.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	4.33%	-0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.54%	7.49%	+0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.31%	9.27%	-0.96%

JNK vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

JNK vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

JNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.62%, more 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%
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	6.62%	6.54%	6.63%	6.38%	6.06%	4.27%	5.11%	5.44%	5.90%	5.60%	6.06%	6.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JNK and HYEM in my portfolio?

JNK and HYEM have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JNK or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to JNK (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNK dropped -38.48% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, JNK or HYEM?

On 10-year performance, JNK leads with 5.01% vs 4.65% for HYEM. Both ETFs have the same 0.40% expense ratio. On volatility, JNK has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JNK or HYEM?

Over the 10-year period, JNK has performed better with a 5.01% return vs 4.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JNK or HYEM?

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

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

JNK has the higher dividend yield at 6.62%, compared with 6.52% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between JNK and HYEM?

JNK tracks Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and VanEck.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 1.90), 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.