XB vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XB (BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - XB tracks the ICE BofA Single-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index 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, XB returned 8.50%/yr vs 10.82%/yr for HYEM. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XB charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

XB vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XB) 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, XB achieves a 1.99% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.81% return.

XB

• 1D: 0.17%
• 1M: 0.64%
• YTD: 1.99%
• 6M: 2.60%
• 1Y: 7.31%
• 3Y*: 8.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: 4.63%

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

XB vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XB BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.99%	7.81%	7.41%	12.94%	-4.25%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.81%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-0.36%

Correlation

The correlation between XB and HYEM is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2022	0.54

The correlation between XB and HYEM shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XB vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XB	HYEM
Industrials	9.9%	100.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	-
Energy	5.2%	-
Communication Services	5.2%	-
Technology	5.0%	-
Healthcare	4.3%	-
Basic Materials	4.1%	-
Real Estate	3.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.0%	-
Financial Services	2.3%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-

Return for Risk

XB vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XB

XB Risk / Return Rank: 68
XB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
XB Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
XB Omega Ratio Rank: 66
XB Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
XB Martin Ratio Rank: 79

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
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.

XB vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XB) 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.

	XB	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.33	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	3.42	-0.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.46	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.40	3.71	-0.31
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.93	15.14	-0.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XB vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XB Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XB 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

	XB	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.33	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.50	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.54	+0.31

Drawdowns

XB vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XB drawdown since its inception was -9.25%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XB and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XB	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.25%	-30.96%	+21.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.16%	-2.73%	+0.57%
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	-0.29%	-0.20%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.32%	-4.40%	+3.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.49%	0.67%	-0.18%

Volatility

XB vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XB) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) have volatilities of 1.37% and 1.32%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XB	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	1.32%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.97%	3.21%	-0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.74%	4.33%	-0.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.44%	7.49%	-0.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.44%	9.27%	-1.83%

XB vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XB has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is lower than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XB vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

XB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.07%, more than HYEM's 6.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.53%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%
XB BondBloxx B Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	7.07%	6.96%	7.74%	7.87%	5.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XB and HYEM in my portfolio?

XB and HYEM have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XB or HYEM?

XB has higher volatility (1.37%) compared to HYEM (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XB dropped -9.25% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, XB or HYEM?

On 3-year performance, HYEM leads with 10.82% vs 8.50% for XB. On fees, XB is cheaper at 0.30% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XB or HYEM?

Over the 3-year period, HYEM has performed better with a 10.82% return vs 8.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XB or HYEM?

XB is cheaper with a 0.30% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for HYEM.

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

XB has the higher dividend yield at 7.07%, compared with 6.53% for HYEM.

What is the main difference between XB and HYEM?

XB tracks ICE BofA Single-B US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for XB and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.97), 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.