MAXJ vs. HYS
MAXJ (iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF) and HYS (PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - MAXJ is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by iShares, while HYS is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained (0-5 Y). MAXJ is actively managed, while HYS is passively managed. Over the past year, MAXJ returned 9.57% vs 6.72% for HYS. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MAXJ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for HYS.
Performance
MAXJ vs. HYS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MAXJ achieves a 2.84% return, which is significantly higher than HYS's 1.08% return.
MAXJ
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.55%
- YTD
- 2.84%
- 6M
- 3.38%
- 1Y
- 9.57%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
HYS
- 1D
- -0.26%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 1.71%
- 1Y
- 6.72%
- 3Y*
- 8.45%
- 5Y*
- 5.03%
- 10Y*
- 5.26%
MAXJ vs. HYS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF | 2.84% | 8.97% | 4.55% |
HYS PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF | 1.08% | 8.80% | 5.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between MAXJ and HYS is 0.54, 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 | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2024 | 0.54 |
The correlation between MAXJ and HYS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.54 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MAXJ vs. HYS — Risk / Return Rank
MAXJ
HYS
MAXJ vs. HYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) and PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF (HYS). 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.
| MAXJ | HYS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.39 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.52 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.81 | 1.37 | +0.44 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 5.64 | 3.58 | +2.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 32.01 | 14.59 | +17.42 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MAXJ | HYS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.33 | 1.94 | +1.39 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.81 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.77 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.63 | 0.81 | +0.82 |
Drawdowns
MAXJ vs. HYS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MAXJ drawdown since its inception was -6.35%, smaller than the maximum HYS drawdown of -20.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAXJ and HYS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MAXJ | HYS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -6.35% | -20.91% | +14.56% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.70% | -1.88% | +0.18% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -4.98% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -10.61% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -20.91% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.03% | -0.39% | +0.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.56% | -1.53% | +0.97% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.30% | 0.46% | -0.16% |
Volatility
MAXJ vs. HYS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF (MAXJ) is 0.29%, while PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF (HYS) has a volatility of 1.18%. This indicates that MAXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MAXJ | HYS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.29% | 1.18% | -0.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.91% | 2.73% | -0.82% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 2.91% | 3.48% | -0.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.27% | 6.26% | -0.99% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.27% | 6.84% | -1.57% |
MAXJ vs. HYS - Expense Ratio Comparison
MAXJ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than HYS's 0.56% expense ratio.
Dividends
MAXJ vs. HYS - Dividend Comparison
MAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than HYS's 7.38% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYS PIMCO 0-5 Year High Yield Corporate Bond Index ETF | 7.38% | 7.20% | 7.43% | 6.44% | 5.01% | 3.74% | 4.52% | 4.98% | 4.64% | 5.01% | 5.13% | 5.22% |
MAXJ iShares Large Cap Max Buffer Jun ETF | 0.98% | 1.01% | 0.81% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
MAXJ and HYS have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HYS has higher volatility (1.18%) compared to MAXJ (0.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAXJ dropped -6.35% vs HYS's -20.91%.
On 1-year performance, MAXJ leads with 9.57% vs 6.72% for HYS. On fees, MAXJ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, MAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 0.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, MAXJ has performed better with a 9.57% return vs 6.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
MAXJ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for HYS.
HYS has the higher dividend yield at 7.38%, compared with 0.98% for MAXJ.
MAXJ is categorized as Equity Hedged, while HYS is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: iShares and PIMCO. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for MAXJ and 0.56% for HYS.
MAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.33 vs 1.94), 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.
Find the right allocation for MAXJ and HYS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer