JNK vs. HYG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

JNK (SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF) and HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - JNK tracks the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index while HYG tracks the iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JNK returned 5.03%/yr vs 4.97%/yr for HYG. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JNK charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HYG.

Performance

JNK vs. HYG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JNK achieves a 1.73% return, which is significantly higher than HYG's 1.60% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with JNK having a 5.03% annualized return and HYG not far behind at 4.97%.

JNK

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.35%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 7.72%
• 3Y*: 8.70%
• 5Y*: 3.77%
• 10Y*: 5.03%

HYG

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.31%
• YTD: 1.60%
• 6M: 2.09%
• 1Y: 7.00%
• 3Y*: 8.58%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: 4.97%

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

JNK vs. HYG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	1.73%	8.76%	7.71%	12.42%	-12.19%	4.00%	4.95%	14.88%	-3.28%	6.49%
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.60%	8.59%	7.97%	11.54%	-10.98%	3.76%	4.47%	14.09%	-2.02%	6.07%

Correlation

The correlation between JNK and HYG is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2007	0.88

The correlation between JNK and HYG shifts across timeframes, from 0.88 (all time) to 0.99 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

JNK vs. HYG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JNK	HYG
Technology	0.0%	-
Energy	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	0.4%
Utilities	-	99.6%

Return for Risk

JNK vs. HYG — Risk / Return Rank

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

JNK

JNK Risk / Return Rank: 64
JNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
JNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
JNK Omega Ratio Rank: 64
JNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
JNK Martin Ratio Rank: 71

HYG

HYG Risk / Return Rank: 60
HYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
HYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
HYG Omega Ratio Rank: 58
HYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
HYG Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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. HYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	JNK	HYG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.03	1.85	+0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	2.80	+0.29
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.36	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	2.99	+0.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.61	13.22	+0.39
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. HYG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNK Sharpe Ratio is 2.03, which is comparable to the HYG Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNK and HYG, 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	HYG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.03	1.85	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.52	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.60	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.46	-0.04

Drawdowns

JNK vs. HYG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNK drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, which is greater than HYG's maximum drawdown of -34.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNK and HYG.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNK	HYG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-34.25%	-4.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-2.34%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.02%	-4.56%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.67%	-15.79%	-0.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.89%	-22.03%	-0.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-0.00%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-3.24%	-0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.53%	+0.04%

Volatility

JNK vs. HYG - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) have volatilities of 1.16% and 1.22%, 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

	JNK	HYG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	1.22%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.96%	3.00%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.81%	3.79%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.54%	7.52%	+0.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.31%	8.29%	+0.02%

JNK vs. HYG - Expense Ratio Comparison

JNK has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than HYG's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

JNK vs. HYG - Dividend Comparison

JNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.61%, more than HYG's 5.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	5.90%	5.71%	6.01%	5.74%	5.30%	4.02%	4.88%	4.99%	5.54%	5.12%	5.27%	5.90%
JNK SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF	6.61%	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 HYG in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, JNK and HYG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JNK or HYG?

HYG has higher volatility (1.22%) compared to JNK (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNK dropped -38.48% vs HYG's -34.25%.

Which ETF is better, JNK or HYG?

On 10-year performance, JNK leads with 5.03% vs 4.97% for HYG. On fees, JNK is cheaper at 0.40% 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, JNK or HYG?

Over the 10-year period, JNK has performed better with a 5.03% return vs 4.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JNK or HYG?

JNK is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HYG.

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

JNK has the higher dividend yield at 6.61%, compared with 5.90% for HYG.

What is the main difference between JNK and HYG?

JNK tracks Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index, while HYG tracks iBoxx $ Liquid High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for JNK and 0.49% for HYG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JNK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.85), 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.