VWEAX vs. HYDW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VWEAX (Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares) and HYDW (Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. Over the past 5 years, VWEAX returned 4.19%/yr vs 3.55%/yr for HYDW. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWEAX charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HYDW.

Performance

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VWEAX achieves a 1.20% return, which is significantly higher than HYDW's 0.89% return.

VWEAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.54%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.91%
• 1Y: 7.12%
• 3Y*: 8.28%
• 5Y*: 4.19%
• 10Y*: 5.26%

HYDW

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 0.89%
• 6M: 1.17%
• 1Y: 5.56%
• 3Y*: 6.83%
• 5Y*: 3.55%
• 10Y*: —

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

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	1.20%	9.49%	6.42%	11.79%	-8.95%	3.04%	5.41%	15.92%	-3.13%
HYDW Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF	0.89%	8.47%	5.42%	9.84%	-7.86%	2.77%	5.51%	11.44%	-1.08%

Correlation

The correlation between VWEAX and HYDW is 0.59, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2018	0.59

The correlation between VWEAX and HYDW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VWEAX vs. HYDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWEAX

VWEAX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VWEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
VWEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 83
VWEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VWEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 77

HYDW

HYDW Risk / Return Rank: 60
HYDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
HYDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HYDW Omega Ratio Rank: 61
HYDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HYDW Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) and Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW). 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.

	VWEAX	HYDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.90	+0.30
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	2.91	+0.90
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.37	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.67	+0.16
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	12.74	+1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWEAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the HYDW Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWEAX and HYDW, 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

	VWEAX	HYDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	1.90	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.56	+0.30
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	1.00	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.23	0.58	+0.65

Drawdowns

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWEAX drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, which is greater than HYDW's maximum drawdown of -17.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWEAX and HYDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWEAX	HYDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-17.75%	-12.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.52%	-2.09%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.32%	-3.64%	+0.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.77%	-12.68%	-1.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-1.89%	-0.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	0.44%	+0.05%

Volatility

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares (VWEAX) has a higher volatility of 0.98% compared to Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF (HYDW) at 0.74%. This indicates that VWEAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VWEAX	HYDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	0.74%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.56%	2.27%	+0.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.25%	2.95%	+0.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.91%	6.40%	-1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.28%	6.99%	-1.71%

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWEAX has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than HYDW's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VWEAX vs. HYDW - Dividend Comparison

VWEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.36%, more than HYDW's 5.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYDW Xtrackers Low Beta High Yield Bond ETF	5.75%	5.75%	5.35%	5.69%	4.78%	3.30%	4.45%	4.56%	4.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VWEAX Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund Admiral Shares	6.36%	6.25%	6.20%	5.79%	5.21%	3.49%	4.71%	5.33%	6.07%	5.39%	5.51%	6.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWEAX and HYDW in my portfolio?

VWEAX and HYDW have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWEAX or HYDW?

VWEAX has higher volatility (0.98%) compared to HYDW (0.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWEAX dropped -30.05% vs HYDW's -17.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VWEAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.90), 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.