XBB vs. HYBB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XBB (BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and HYBB (iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - XBB tracks the ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index while HYBB tracks the ICE BofA BB US High Yield Constrained Index (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XBB returned 7.84%/yr vs 7.96%/yr for HYBB. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XBB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for HYBB.

Performance

XBB vs. HYBB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) and iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF (HYBB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XBB achieves a 1.53% return, which is significantly higher than HYBB's 1.39% return.

XBB

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 1.76%
• 1Y: 6.37%
• 3Y*: 7.84%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HYBB

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 1.39%
• 6M: 1.78%
• 1Y: 6.52%
• 3Y*: 7.96%
• 5Y*: 3.63%
• 10Y*: —

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

XBB vs. HYBB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.53%	8.59%	6.41%	10.63%	-3.77%
HYBB iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF	1.39%	8.95%	6.35%	10.53%	-3.27%

Correlation

The correlation between XBB and HYBB is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2022	0.87

The correlation between XBB and HYBB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

XBB vs. HYBB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XBB	HYBB
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	-
Industrials	9.2%	-
Communication Services	8.7%	-
Healthcare	6.9%	-
Energy	6.3%	-
Financial Services	6.2%	100.0%
Technology	4.4%	-
Real Estate	4.4%	-
Basic Materials	3.3%	-
Utilities	2.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	-

Return for Risk

XBB vs. HYBB — Risk / Return Rank

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

XBB

XBB Risk / Return Rank: 50
XBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XBB Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XBB Martin Ratio Rank: 55

HYBB

HYBB Risk / Return Rank: 62
HYBB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
HYBB Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
HYBB Omega Ratio Rank: 66
HYBB Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HYBB Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

XBB vs. HYBB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) and iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF (HYBB). 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.

	XBB	HYBB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.00	-0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.00	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.39	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.63	-0.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.49	11.88	-2.40
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XBB vs. HYBB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the HYBB Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBB and HYBB, 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

	XBB	HYBB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	2.00	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.62	+0.18

Drawdowns

XBB vs. HYBB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBB drawdown since its inception was -8.87%, smaller than the maximum HYBB drawdown of -15.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBB and HYBB.

Drawdown Indicators

	XBB	HYBB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.87%	-15.28%	+6.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-2.48%	-0.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.86%	-4.01%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.28%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.26%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.33%	-3.23%	+1.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.55%	+0.12%

Volatility

XBB vs. HYBB - Volatility Comparison

BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) has a higher volatility of 1.25% compared to iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF (HYBB) at 0.98%. This indicates that XBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYBB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XBB	HYBB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	0.98%	+0.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	2.57%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	3.28%	+0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.08%	6.93%	+0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.08%	6.67%	+0.41%

XBB vs. HYBB - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than HYBB's 0.25% 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

XBB vs. HYBB - Dividend Comparison

XBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, less than HYBB's 5.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HYBB iShares BB Rated Corporate Bond ETF	5.86%	6.08%	6.22%	6.28%	5.04%	3.86%	0.76%
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	5.55%	5.42%	6.35%	6.15%	3.73%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XBB and HYBB in my portfolio?

XBB and HYBB have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XBB or HYBB?

XBB has higher volatility (1.25%) compared to HYBB (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBB dropped -8.87% vs HYBB's -15.28%.

Which ETF is better, XBB or HYBB?

On 3-year performance, HYBB leads with 7.96% vs 7.84% for XBB. On fees, XBB is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, HYBB has been the lower-risk option at 0.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XBB or HYBB?

Over the 3-year period, HYBB has performed better with a 7.96% return vs 7.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XBB or HYBB?

XBB is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for HYBB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XBB or HYBB?

HYBB has the higher dividend yield at 5.86%, compared with 5.55% for XBB.

What is the main difference between XBB and HYBB?

XBB tracks ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while HYBB tracks ICE BofA BB US High Yield Constrained Index (USD). They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XBB and 0.25% for HYBB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYBB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.00 vs 1.64), 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.