NHYB vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

NHYB (Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - NHYB tracks the ICE BofA BB-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index while SPHY tracks the ICE BofA US High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NHYB charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

NHYB vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NHYB) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NHYB achieves a 1.46% return, which is significantly higher than SPHY's 1.24% return.

NHYB

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 0.15%
• YTD: 1.46%
• 6M: 1.79%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPHY

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.59%
• 1Y: 6.89%
• 3Y*: 8.82%
• 5Y*: 4.33%
• 10Y*: 5.04%

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

NHYB vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NHYB Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.46%	1.30%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.24%	1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between NHYB and SPHY is 0.89, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2025	0.89

Return for Risk

NHYB vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 62
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY 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.

NHYB vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NHYB) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NHYB	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.61	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.63	+0.47

Drawdowns

NHYB vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHYB drawdown since its inception was -2.40%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHYB and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHYB	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.40%	-21.97%	+19.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.41%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.85%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.29%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.52%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-2.29%	+1.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.53%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NHYB	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.15%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.93%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.67%	3.69%	-0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.67%	7.17%	-3.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.67%	7.89%	-4.22%

NHYB vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHYB has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

NHYB vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

NHYB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than SPHY's 7.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NHYB Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	4.26%	1.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.29%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHYB and SPHY in my portfolio?

NHYB and SPHY have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, NHYB or SPHY?

On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NHYB or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for NHYB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NHYB or SPHY?

SPHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.29%, compared with 4.26% for NHYB.

What is the main difference between NHYB and SPHY?

NHYB tracks ICE BofA BB-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while SPHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for NHYB and 0.05% for SPHY.