JNK vs. VWEHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

JNK (State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF) and VWEHX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares) are both High Yield Bonds funds. JNK is passively managed, while VWEHX is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, JNK returned 5.05%/yr vs 5.12%/yr for VWEHX. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JNK charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VWEHX.

Performance

JNK vs. VWEHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JNK achieves a 1.83% return, which is significantly higher than VWEHX's 0.97% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with JNK having a 5.05% annualized return and VWEHX not far ahead at 5.12%.

JNK

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.60%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.14%
• 1Y: 6.86%
• 3Y*: 8.93%
• 5Y*: 3.65%
• 10Y*: 5.05%

VWEHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.43%
• 3Y*: 8.03%
• 5Y*: 4.01%
• 10Y*: 5.12%

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

JNK vs. VWEHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF	1.83%	8.76%	7.71%	12.42%	-12.19%	4.00%	4.95%	14.88%	-3.28%	6.49%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	0.97%	9.38%	6.33%	11.66%	-9.04%	2.97%	5.30%	15.81%	-2.93%	7.05%

Correlation

The correlation between JNK and VWEHX is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2007	0.50

The correlation between JNK and VWEHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.50 (all time) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JNK vs. VWEHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JNK

JNK Risk / Return Rank: 59
JNK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
JNK Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
JNK Omega Ratio Rank: 57
JNK Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
JNK Martin Ratio Rank: 67

VWEHX

VWEHX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VWEHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEHX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VWEHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VWEHX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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. VWEHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). 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.

	JNK	VWEHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.03	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	3.50	-0.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.50	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.75	2.64	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.05	13.33	-1.27

JNK vs. VWEHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNK Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the VWEHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNK and VWEHX, 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

JNK vs. VWEHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNK drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, which is greater than VWEHX's maximum drawdown of -30.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNK and VWEHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNK	VWEHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-30.17%	-8.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.51%	-2.52%	+0.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.02%	-3.33%	-1.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.67%	-13.83%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.89%	-19.69%	-3.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	-0.18%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-4.29%	+0.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.50%	+0.07%

Volatility

JNK vs. VWEHX - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) has a higher volatility of 1.07% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX) at 0.87%. This indicates that JNK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWEHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JNK	VWEHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.07%	0.87%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.06%	2.60%	+0.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.88%	3.27%	+0.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.56%	4.91%	+2.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.30%	5.26%	+3.04%

JNK vs. VWEHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JNK has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than VWEHX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

JNK vs. VWEHX - Dividend Comparison

JNK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.60%, more than VWEHX's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF	6.60%	6.54%	6.63%	6.38%	6.06%	4.27%	5.11%	5.44%	5.90%	5.60%	6.06%	6.59%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	6.27%	6.15%	6.11%	5.68%	5.11%	3.43%	4.62%	5.24%	5.94%	5.29%	5.41%	6.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JNK and VWEHX in my portfolio?

JNK and VWEHX have a correlation of 0.65, 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 VWEHX?

JNK has higher volatility (1.07%) compared to VWEHX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNK dropped -38.48% vs VWEHX's -30.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWEHX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.78), 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.