PHYL vs. FHYS

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PHYL (PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF) and FHYS (Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, PHYL returned 9.20%/yr vs 7.91%/yr for FHYS. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PHYL charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for FHYS.

Performance

PHYL vs. FHYS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) and Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF (FHYS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with PHYL having a 1.53% return and FHYS slightly higher at 1.59%.

PHYL

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 2.10%
• 1Y: 7.43%
• 3Y*: 9.20%
• 5Y*: 4.04%
• 10Y*: —

FHYS

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.59%
• 6M: 2.04%
• 1Y: 6.40%
• 3Y*: 7.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

PHYL vs. FHYS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF	1.53%	9.65%	8.45%	11.91%	-11.80%	0.97%
FHYS Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF	1.59%	7.72%	7.23%	10.88%	-7.31%	0.98%

Correlation

The correlation between PHYL and FHYS is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2021	0.76

The correlation between PHYL and FHYS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

PHYL vs. FHYS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PHYL	FHYS
Energy	59.0%	-
Communication Services	41.1%	91.7%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PHYL vs. FHYS — Risk / Return Rank

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

PHYL

PHYL Risk / Return Rank: 71
PHYL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
PHYL Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
PHYL Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PHYL Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
PHYL Martin Ratio Rank: 69

FHYS

FHYS Risk / Return Rank: 83
FHYS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
FHYS Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FHYS Omega Ratio Rank: 86
FHYS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
FHYS Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

PHYL vs. FHYS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) and Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF (FHYS). 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.

	PHYL	FHYS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.41	-0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.40	3.77	-0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.51	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	3.86	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.75	19.93	-7.18
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PHYL vs. FHYS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PHYL Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the FHYS Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PHYL and FHYS, 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

	PHYL	FHYS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.41	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.72	0.92	-0.20

Drawdowns

PHYL vs. FHYS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PHYL drawdown since its inception was -22.07%, which is greater than FHYS's maximum drawdown of -11.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHYL and FHYS.

Drawdown Indicators

	PHYL	FHYS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.07%	-11.62%	-10.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.68%	-1.66%	-1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.53%	-3.16%	-1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.11%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.05%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.06%	-2.28%	-0.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	0.32%	+0.26%

Volatility

PHYL vs. FHYS - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) has a higher volatility of 1.09% compared to Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF (FHYS) at 0.76%. This indicates that PHYL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FHYS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PHYL	FHYS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.09%	0.76%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.59%	2.17%	+0.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	2.67%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.68%	4.94%	+0.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.66%	4.94%	+2.72%

PHYL vs. FHYS - Expense Ratio Comparison

PHYL has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than FHYS's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

PHYL vs. FHYS - Dividend Comparison

PHYL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.99%, more than FHYS's 5.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FHYS Federated Hermes Short Duration High Yield ETF	5.76%	5.96%	6.42%	6.76%	6.25%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF	6.99%	7.05%	8.28%	7.62%	6.55%	6.13%	7.51%	7.31%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PHYL and FHYS in my portfolio?

PHYL and FHYS have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PHYL or FHYS?

PHYL has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to FHYS (0.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHYL dropped -22.07% vs FHYS's -11.62%.

Which ETF is better, PHYL or FHYS?

On 3-year performance, PHYL leads with 9.20% vs 7.91% for FHYS. On fees, FHYS is cheaper at 0.51% per year. On volatility, FHYS has been the lower-risk option at 0.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PHYL or FHYS?

Over the 3-year period, PHYL has performed better with a 9.20% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PHYL or FHYS?

FHYS is cheaper with a 0.51% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for PHYL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PHYL or FHYS?

PHYL has the higher dividend yield at 6.99%, compared with 5.76% for FHYS.

What is the main difference between PHYL and FHYS?

They also come from different issuers: Prudential and Federated. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for PHYL and 0.51% for FHYS.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FHYS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 2.30), 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.