PRHYX vs. VWEHX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRHYX (T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund) and VWEHX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PRHYX returned 6.43%/yr vs 5.12%/yr for VWEHX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRHYX charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VWEHX.

Performance

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund (PRHYX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRHYX achieves a 1.39% return, which is significantly higher than VWEHX's 0.97% return. Over the past 10 years, PRHYX has outperformed VWEHX with an annualized return of 6.43%, while VWEHX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.12% annualized return.

PRHYX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 2.08%
• 1Y: 6.57%
• 3Y*: 11.74%
• 5Y*: 6.21%
• 10Y*: 6.43%

VWEHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 0.97%
• 6M: 1.67%
• 1Y: 6.43%
• 3Y*: 8.03%
• 5Y*: 4.01%
• 10Y*: 5.12%

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

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRHYX T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund	1.39%	10.44%	12.07%	20.05%	-12.48%	5.22%	4.99%	14.69%	-3.30%	7.40%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	0.97%	9.38%	6.33%	11.66%	-9.04%	2.97%	5.30%	15.81%	-2.93%	7.05%

Correlation

The correlation between PRHYX and VWEHX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 1985	0.69

The correlation between PRHYX and VWEHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.66 (1 year) to 0.79 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRHYX vs. VWEHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRHYX

PRHYX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PRHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
PRHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
PRHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
PRHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
PRHYX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

VWEHX

VWEHX Risk / Return Rank: 69
VWEHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEHX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
VWEHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
VWEHX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund (PRHYX) and Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX). 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.

	PRHYX	VWEHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.07	2.03	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	3.50	-0.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.50	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.64	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.55	13.33	+1.22

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRHYX Sharpe Ratio is 2.07, which is comparable to the VWEHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRHYX and VWEHX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRHYX drawdown since its inception was -30.79%, roughly equal to the maximum VWEHX drawdown of -30.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRHYX and VWEHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRHYX	VWEHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.79%	-30.17%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.17%	-2.52%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.33%	-3.33%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.43%	-13.83%	-2.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.10%	-19.69%	-2.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.50%	-0.18%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.63%	-4.29%	+0.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.45%	0.50%	-0.05%

Volatility

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund (PRHYX) has a higher volatility of 0.95% compared to Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares (VWEHX) at 0.87%. This indicates that PRHYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VWEHX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRHYX	VWEHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.95%	0.87%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.52%	2.60%	-0.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.18%	3.27%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.34%	4.91%	+0.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.59%	5.26%	+0.33%

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRHYX has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than VWEHX's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRHYX vs. VWEHX - Dividend Comparison

PRHYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.74%, more than VWEHX's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRHYX T. Rowe Price High Yield Fund	6.74%	8.33%	11.50%	11.49%	4.68%	5.09%	5.19%	5.48%	6.25%	5.49%	6.02%	6.45%
VWEHX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Investor Shares	6.27%	6.15%	6.11%	5.68%	5.11%	3.43%	4.62%	5.24%	5.94%	5.29%	5.41%	6.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRHYX and VWEHX in my portfolio?

PRHYX and VWEHX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRHYX or VWEHX?

PRHYX has higher volatility (0.95%) compared to VWEHX (0.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRHYX dropped -30.79% vs VWEHX's -30.17%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRHYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.03), 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.