USHY vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USHY (iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - USHY tracks the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained while HYEM tracks the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USHY returned 4.24%/yr vs 3.04%/yr for HYEM. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USHY charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

USHY vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) 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, USHY achieves a 1.42% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.92% return.

USHY

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.42%
• 6M: 1.77%
• 1Y: 7.02%
• 3Y*: 8.91%
• 5Y*: 4.24%
• 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)

USHY vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USHY iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.42%	8.81%	8.45%	12.73%	-11.18%	5.02%	6.17%	14.24%	-2.41%	0.16%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.92%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	0.24%

Correlation

The correlation between USHY and HYEM is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2017	0.50

The correlation between USHY and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

USHY vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USHY	HYEM
Energy	99.2%	-
Real Estate	0.8%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	100.0%
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

USHY vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

USHY

USHY Risk / Return Rank: 60
USHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
USHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
USHY Omega Ratio Rank: 60
USHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
USHY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

USHY vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) 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.

	USHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	2.39	-0.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.91	3.50	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.79	-0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.03	15.48	-2.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USHY vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USHY 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

	USHY	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	2.39	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.41	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.54	+0.04

Drawdowns

USHY vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USHY drawdown since its inception was -22.44%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USHY and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	USHY	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.44%	-30.96%	+8.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.43%	-2.73%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.66%	-5.23%	+0.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.56%	-26.30%	+10.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-30.96%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.27%	-0.10%	-0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.67%	-4.40%	+1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	0.67%	-0.13%

Volatility

USHY vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) is 1.13%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.33%. This indicates that USHY 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

	USHY	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.33%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.91%	3.24%	-0.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.65%	4.33%	-0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.34%	7.49%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.25%	9.27%	-1.02%

USHY vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

USHY has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

USHY vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

USHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.92%, 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%
USHY iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	6.92%	6.79%	6.89%	6.63%	6.08%	5.07%	5.30%	5.92%	6.30%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USHY and HYEM in my portfolio?

USHY and HYEM have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USHY or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.33%) compared to USHY (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USHY dropped -22.44% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, USHY or HYEM?

On 5-year performance, USHY leads with 4.24% vs 3.04% for HYEM. On fees, USHY is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, USHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USHY or HYEM?

Over the 5-year period, USHY has performed better with a 4.24% return vs 3.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USHY or HYEM?

USHY is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for HYEM.

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

USHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.92%, compared with 6.52% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between USHY and HYEM?

USHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USHY and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.39 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.