SIHY vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SIHY (Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - SIHY tracks the ICE BofA US High Yield while HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SIHY returned 9.23%/yr vs 11.00%/yr for HYEM. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SIHY charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

SIHY vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF (SIHY) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SIHY achieves a 1.74% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.92% return.

SIHY

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 2.22%
• 1Y: 8.47%
• 3Y*: 9.23%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 1.26%
• YTD: 3.92%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 10.30%
• 3Y*: 11.00%
• 5Y*: 3.04%
• 10Y*: 4.65%

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

SIHY vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SIHY Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF	1.74%	8.13%	8.67%	13.31%	-7.73%	-0.00%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.92%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-2.99%

Correlation

The correlation between SIHY and HYEM is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 17, 2021	0.56

The correlation between SIHY and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.56 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SIHY vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIHY	HYEM
Industrials	14.8%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.9%	-
Energy	11.9%	-
Technology	8.8%	-
Financial Services	6.3%	-
Real Estate	5.3%	-
Basic Materials	3.2%	-
Communication Services	3.0%	-
Utilities	3.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.0%	-
Healthcare	1.5%	-

Return for Risk

SIHY vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIHY

SIHY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SIHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
SIHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SIHY Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SIHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
SIHY Martin Ratio Rank: 62

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 76
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

SIHY vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF (SIHY) 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.

	SIHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	2.39	-0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.17	3.50	-0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.47	-0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	3.79	-1.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.10	15.48	-4.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SIHY vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIHY Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIHY and HYEM, 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

	SIHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.04	2.39	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.64	0.54	+0.10

Drawdowns

SIHY vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIHY drawdown since its inception was -13.30%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIHY and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIHY	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.30%	-30.96%	+17.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.17%	-2.73%	-0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.36%	-5.23%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-26.30%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.10%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-4.40%	+1.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.67%	+0.09%

Volatility

SIHY vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF (SIHY) is 1.16%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.33%. This indicates that SIHY 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.

Volatility by Period

	SIHY	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.16%	1.33%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.09%	3.24%	-0.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.18%	4.33%	-0.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.58%	7.49%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.58%	9.27%	-1.69%

SIHY vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIHY has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIHY vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

SIHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.26%, 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%
SIHY Harbor Scientific Alpha High-Yield ETF	7.26%	7.61%	7.54%	7.06%	6.31%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIHY and HYEM in my portfolio?

SIHY and HYEM have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIHY or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to SIHY (1.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIHY dropped -13.30% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, SIHY or HYEM?

On 3-year performance, HYEM leads with 11.00% vs 9.23% for SIHY. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, SIHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIHY or HYEM?

Over the 3-year period, HYEM has performed better with a 11.00% return vs 9.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIHY or HYEM?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for SIHY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SIHY or HYEM?

SIHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 6.52% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between SIHY and HYEM?

SIHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for SIHY and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 vs 2.04), 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.