JNK vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JNK (SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JNK is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JNK returned 5.01%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JNK charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

JNK vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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 SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, JNK has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 5.01%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% 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%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

JNK vs. SPY - 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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between JNK and SPY is 0.76, 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	0.76
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.69
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2007	0.65

The correlation between JNK and SPY shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.76 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

JNK vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JNK	SPY
Technology	0.0%	35.9%
Energy	0.0%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Financial Services	-	11.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Industrials	-	7.8%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

JNK vs. SPY — 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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	2.38	-0.47
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.24	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.43	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.16	-0.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.79	14.72	-1.93
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNK Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNK and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	2.38	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.82	-0.32
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.87	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.59	-0.16

Drawdowns

JNK vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNK drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNK and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNK	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-55.19%	+16.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-8.88%	+6.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.02%	-18.76%	+13.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.67%	-24.50%	+7.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.89%	-33.72%	+10.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.26%	-0.70%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.70%	-9.05%	+5.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	1.91%	-1.34%

Volatility

JNK vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is 1.13%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 2.84%. This indicates that JNK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JNK	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	2.84%	-1.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	8.90%	-5.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	11.83%	-8.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.54%	17.05%	-9.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.31%	17.94%	-9.63%

JNK vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JNK has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JNK vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.62%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JNK and SPY in my portfolio?

JNK and SPY have a correlation of 0.76, 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 SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to JNK (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNK dropped -38.48% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, JNK or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 5.01% for JNK. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. 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 SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 5.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JNK or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for JNK.

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

JNK has the higher dividend yield at 6.62%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between JNK and SPY?

JNK is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while SPY is S&P 500. JNK tracks Barclays Capital High Yield Very Liquid Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for JNK and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 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.