USEMX vs. USHYX

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

USEMX (USAA Emerging Markets Fund) and USHYX (USAA High Income Fund) are both mutual funds - USEMX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Victory, while USHYX is a High Yield Bonds fund managed by Victory. Over the past 10 years, USEMX returned 10.75%/yr vs 5.00%/yr for USHYX. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USEMX charges 1.47%/yr vs 0.76%/yr for USHYX.

Performance

USEMX vs. USHYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USAA Emerging Markets Fund (USEMX) and USAA High Income Fund (USHYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USEMX achieves a 28.32% return, which is significantly higher than USHYX's 1.40% return. Over the past 10 years, USEMX has outperformed USHYX with an annualized return of 10.75%, while USHYX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.00% annualized return.

USEMX

• 1D: -5.39%
• 1M: 1.80%
• YTD: 28.32%
• 6M: 29.86%
• 1Y: 50.39%
• 3Y*: 24.94%
• 5Y*: 9.07%
• 10Y*: 10.75%

USHYX

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: 0.59%
• YTD: 1.40%
• 6M: 1.55%
• 1Y: 5.40%
• 3Y*: 8.04%
• 5Y*: 3.54%
• 10Y*: 5.00%

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

USEMX vs. USHYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USEMX USAA Emerging Markets Fund	28.32%	36.50%	5.13%	16.07%	-20.24%	-1.22%	16.74%	22.91%	-20.05%	33.55%
USHYX USAA High Income Fund	1.40%	7.22%	6.85%	13.05%	-10.95%	5.61%	3.74%	13.13%	-3.52%	7.17%

Correlation

The correlation between USEMX and USHYX is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 1999	0.41

The correlation between USEMX and USHYX shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (all time) to 0.53 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

USEMX vs. USHYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

USEMX

USEMX Risk / Return Rank: 85
USEMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
USEMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
USEMX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
USEMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
USEMX Martin Ratio Rank: 91

USHYX

USHYX Risk / Return Rank: 71
USHYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
USHYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
USHYX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
USHYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
USHYX 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.

USEMX vs. USHYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USAA Emerging Markets Fund (USEMX) and USAA High Income Fund (USHYX). 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.

	USEMX	USHYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	2.20	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.09	3.31	-0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.47	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.22	2.59	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.02	13.10	+2.92

USEMX vs. USHYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USEMX Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is comparable to the USHYX Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USEMX and USHYX, 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

USEMX vs. USHYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USEMX drawdown since its inception was -64.84%, which is greater than USHYX's maximum drawdown of -33.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USEMX and USHYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	USEMX	USHYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.84%	-33.59%	-31.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.93%	-2.21%	-10.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.26%	-3.75%	-12.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.15%	-15.10%	-20.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.29%	-24.55%	-15.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.39%	-0.29%	-5.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.27%	-2.97%	-16.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.40%	0.44%	+2.96%

Volatility

USEMX vs. USHYX - Volatility Comparison

USAA Emerging Markets Fund (USEMX) has a higher volatility of 12.01% compared to USAA High Income Fund (USHYX) at 0.73%. This indicates that USEMX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than USHYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USEMX	USHYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.01%	0.73%	+11.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.00%	2.17%	+16.83%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.29%	2.62%	+18.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.55%	4.61%	+12.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	5.46%	+12.59%

USEMX vs. USHYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

USEMX has a 1.47% expense ratio, which is higher than USHYX's 0.76% expense ratio.

Dividends

USEMX vs. USHYX - Dividend Comparison

USEMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.80%, less than USHYX's 6.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
USEMX USAA Emerging Markets Fund	6.80%	8.73%	3.20%	1.83%	1.73%	0.70%	1.04%	0.32%	1.29%	0.33%	0.91%	0.82%
USHYX USAA High Income Fund	6.97%	5.48%	7.65%	7.15%	5.89%	4.83%	5.23%	5.78%	6.31%	5.72%	5.91%	6.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USEMX and USHYX in my portfolio?

USEMX and USHYX have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USEMX or USHYX?

USEMX has higher volatility (12.01%) compared to USHYX (0.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USEMX dropped -64.84% vs USHYX's -33.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USEMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.20), 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.