NHYB vs. USHY

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

NHYB (Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and USHY (iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - NHYB tracks the ICE BofA BB-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index while USHY tracks the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NHYB charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for USHY.

Performance

NHYB vs. USHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NHYB) and iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY). 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 USHY's 1.20% return.

NHYB

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

USHY

• 1D: -0.43%
• 1M: 0.02%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 6.75%
• 3Y*: 8.80%
• 5Y*: 4.20%
• 10Y*: —

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

NHYB vs. USHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NHYB Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.46%	1.30%
USHY iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.20%	1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between NHYB and USHY is 0.90, 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	0.90

Return for Risk

NHYB vs. USHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

USHY

USHY Risk / Return Rank: 61
USHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
USHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
USHY Omega Ratio Rank: 60
USHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
USHY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. USHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (NHYB) and iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY). 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	USHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.86	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.57	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.10	0.58	+0.53

Drawdowns

NHYB vs. USHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NHYB drawdown since its inception was -2.40%, smaller than the maximum USHY drawdown of -22.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NHYB and USHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	NHYB	USHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-2.40%	-22.44%	+20.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-2.43%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.66%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.56%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.49%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.37%	-2.66%	+2.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.54%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NHYB	USHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.18%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	2.95%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.67%	3.67%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.67%	7.34%	-3.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.67%	8.25%	-4.58%

NHYB vs. USHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

NHYB has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than USHY's 0.15% expense ratio. Despite the difference, 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. USHY - Dividend Comparison

NHYB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.26%, less than USHY's 6.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
USHY iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	6.94%	6.79%	6.89%	6.63%	6.08%	5.07%	5.30%	5.92%	6.30%	0.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NHYB and USHY in my portfolio?

NHYB and USHY have a correlation of 0.90, 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 USHY?

On fees, NHYB is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, NHYB or USHY?

NHYB is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for USHY.

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

USHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.94%, compared with 4.26% for NHYB.

What is the main difference between NHYB and USHY?

NHYB tracks ICE BofA BB-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while USHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index. They also come from different issuers: Nuveen and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for NHYB and 0.15% for USHY.