PHYL vs. HYEM
PHYL (PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. PHYL is actively managed, while HYEM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PHYL returned 4.04%/yr vs 2.91%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PHYL charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.
Performance
PHYL vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PHYL achieves a 1.84% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.97% return.
PHYL
- 1D
- 0.09%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.84%
- 6M
- 1.86%
- 1Y
- 6.40%
- 3Y*
- 9.36%
- 5Y*
- 4.04%
- 10Y*
- —
HYEM
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 0.66%
- YTD
- 3.97%
- 6M
- 3.83%
- 1Y
- 8.96%
- 3Y*
- 10.22%
- 5Y*
- 2.91%
- 10Y*
- 4.63%
PHYL vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | 1.84% | 9.65% | 8.45% | 11.91% | -11.80% | 6.20% | 6.31% | 16.77% | -4.17% |
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 3.97% | 9.24% | 12.14% | 8.35% | -13.39% | -1.31% | 6.87% | 12.85% | -0.09% |
Correlation
The correlation between PHYL and HYEM is 0.50, 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 | 0.50 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2018 | 0.48 |
The correlation between PHYL and HYEM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
PHYL vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank
PHYL
HYEM
PHYL vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). 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.
| PHYL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.12 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.38 | 1.39 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.40 | 3.30 | -0.90 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.90 | 13.39 | -2.49 |
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Drawdowns
PHYL vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PHYL drawdown since its inception was -22.07%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PHYL and HYEM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PHYL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -22.07% | -30.96% | +8.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.68% | -2.73% | +0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -4.53% | -5.23% | +0.70% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -16.11% | -26.29% | +10.18% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -30.96% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.07% | -0.49% | +0.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.04% | -4.38% | +1.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.59% | 0.67% | -0.08% |
Volatility
PHYL vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF (PHYL) is 1.04%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.14%. This indicates that PHYL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PHYL | HYEM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.04% | 1.14% | -0.10% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.73% | 3.26% | -0.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.33% | 4.40% | -1.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 5.70% | 7.50% | -1.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 7.63% | 9.27% | -1.64% |
PHYL vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison
PHYL has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
PHYL vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison
PHYL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.97%, more than HYEM's 6.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF | 6.52% | 6.67% | 6.34% | 6.27% | 6.47% | 5.33% | 5.56% | 6.14% | 5.71% | 5.86% | 6.25% | 7.64% |
PHYL PGIM Active High Yield Bond ETF | 6.97% | 7.05% | 8.28% | 7.62% | 6.55% | 6.13% | 7.51% | 7.31% | 1.79% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
PHYL and HYEM have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HYEM has higher volatility (1.14%) compared to PHYL (1.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PHYL dropped -22.07% vs HYEM's -30.96%.
On 5-year performance, PHYL leads with 4.04% vs 2.91% for HYEM. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, PHYL has been the lower-risk option at 1.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, PHYL has performed better with a 4.04% return vs 2.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for PHYL.
PHYL has the higher dividend yield at 6.97%, compared with 6.52% for HYEM.
They also come from different issuers: Prudential and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for PHYL and 0.40% for HYEM.
HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 1.93), 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.
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