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USHY vs. VYMI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

USHY vs. VYMI

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

USHY (iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and VYMI (Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index, while VYMI is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, USHY returned 4.20%/yr vs 12.17%/yr for VYMI. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USHY charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VYMI.

Performance

USHY vs. VYMI - 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 Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USHY achieves a 1.73% return, which is significantly lower than VYMI's 12.29% return.

USHY

1D
0.49%
1M
0.59%
YTD
1.73%
6M
2.10%
1Y
7.02%
3Y*
8.95%
5Y*
4.20%
10Y*
—

VYMI

1D
2.33%
1M
0.90%
YTD
12.29%
6M
13.85%
1Y
30.23%
3Y*
21.85%
5Y*
12.17%
10Y*
11.03%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

USHY vs. VYMI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
USHY
iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF		1.73%8.81%8.45%12.73%-11.18%5.02%6.17%14.24%-2.41%0.16%
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		12.29%38.05%7.06%17.07%-7.02%15.39%-1.11%18.43%-12.65%2.82%

Correlation

The correlation between USHY and VYMI is 0.68, 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

0.68

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.64

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.63

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2017

0.63

The correlation between USHY and VYMI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

USHY vs. VYMI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
USHY
VYMI

Energy

99.2%
9.5%

Real Estate

0.8%
1.3%

Basic Materials

-

6.8%

Communication Services

-

4.0%

Consumer Cyclical

-

6.5%

Consumer Defensive

-

7.0%

Financial Services

-

41.9%

Healthcare

-

6.6%

Industrials

-

6.6%

Technology

-

4.3%

Utilities

-

5.6%

Energy

USHY
99.2%
VYMI
9.5%

Real Estate

USHY
0.8%
VYMI
1.3%

Basic Materials

USHY

-

VYMI
6.8%

Communication Services

USHY

-

VYMI
4.0%

Consumer Cyclical

USHY

-

VYMI
6.5%

Consumer Defensive

USHY

-

VYMI
7.0%

Financial Services

USHY

-

VYMI
41.9%

Healthcare

USHY

-

VYMI
6.6%

Industrials

USHY

-

VYMI
6.6%

Technology

USHY

-

VYMI
4.3%

Utilities

USHY

-

VYMI
5.6%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF

Often compared with USHY:
USHY vs. HYGUSHY vs. SPHYUSHY vs. HYSUSHY vs. JNKUSHY vs. BKLNUSHY vs. HYLBUSHY vs. SPY
Often compared with VYMI:
VYMI vs. VYMVYMI vs. SCHYVYMI vs. SCHDVYMI vs. VIGIVYMI vs. VOOVYMI vs. IDEVVYMI vs. VT

Return for Risk

USHY vs. VYMI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
USHY
USHY Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
USHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
USHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
USHY Omega Ratio Rank: 7676
Omega Ratio Rank
USHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
USHY Martin Ratio Rank: 8080
Martin Ratio Rank
VYMI
VYMI Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
VYMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VYMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
VYMI Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
VYMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 7272
Calmar Ratio Rank
VYMI Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VYMI - 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 Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI). 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.

USHYVYMIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.91
2.28

-0.37

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.87
3.11

-0.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.41

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.90

3.00

-0.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.98

11.70

+1.27

USHY vs. VYMI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is comparable to the VYMI Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USHY and VYMI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

USHY vs. VYMI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USHY drawdown since its inception was -22.44%, smaller than the maximum VYMI drawdown of -40.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USHY and VYMI.

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Drawdown Indicators

USHYVYMIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-22.44%

-40.00%

+17.56%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.43%

-10.14%

+7.71%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.66%

-12.84%

+8.18%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.56%

-24.05%

+8.49%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-40.00%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-0.53%

+0.53%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.66%

-6.30%

+3.64%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.54%

2.59%

-2.05%

Volatility

USHY vs. VYMI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) is 1.20%, while Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF (VYMI) has a volatility of 4.38%. This indicates that USHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYMI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

USHYVYMIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.20%

4.38%

-3.18%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.98%

11.18%

-8.20%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.69%

13.32%

-9.63%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

7.35%

14.90%

-7.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

8.24%

16.86%

-8.62%

USHY vs. VYMI - Expense Ratio Comparison

USHY has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VYMI's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

USHY vs. VYMI - Dividend Comparison

USHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.90%, more than VYMI's 3.41% yield.

PositionTTM2025202420232022202120202019201820172016
USHY
iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF		6.90%6.79%6.89%6.63%6.08%5.07%5.30%5.92%6.30%0.73%0.00%
VYMI
Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF		3.41%3.68%4.84%4.58%4.70%4.30%3.22%4.20%4.29%3.21%2.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

USHY and VYMI have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VYMI has higher volatility (4.38%) compared to USHY (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USHY dropped -22.44% vs VYMI's -40.00%.

On 5-year performance, VYMI leads with 12.17% vs 4.20% for USHY. On fees, VYMI is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, USHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, VYMI has performed better with a 12.17% return vs 4.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VYMI is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for USHY.

USHY has the higher dividend yield at 6.90%, compared with 3.41% for VYMI.

USHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VYMI is Dividend. USHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index, while VYMI tracks FTSE All-World ex US High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for USHY and 0.07% for VYMI.

VYMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 1.91), 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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