XBB vs. SCYB

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XBB (BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and SCYB (Schwab High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - XBB tracks the ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index while SCYB tracks the ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, XBB returned 6.37% vs 7.03% for SCYB. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XBB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SCYB.

Performance

XBB vs. SCYB - 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 Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB). 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 lower than SCYB's 1.76% return.

XBB

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

SCYB

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.46%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 1.99%
• 1Y: 7.03%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XBB vs. SCYB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	1.53%	8.59%	6.41%	6.48%
SCYB Schwab High Yield Bond ETF	1.76%	8.33%	8.15%	6.74%

Correlation

The correlation between XBB and SCYB is 0.80, 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	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 12, 2023	0.80

The correlation between XBB and SCYB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

XBB vs. SCYB — 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

SCYB

SCYB Risk / Return Rank: 62
SCYB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
SCYB Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
SCYB Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCYB Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SCYB Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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. SCYB - 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 Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB). 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	SCYB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	1.89	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.83	-0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.37	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.89	-0.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.49	12.95	-3.47
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. SCYB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is comparable to the SCYB Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBB and SCYB, 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	SCYB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	1.89	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	1.70	-0.89

Drawdowns

XBB vs. SCYB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBB drawdown since its inception was -8.87%, which is greater than SCYB's maximum drawdown of -4.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBB and SCYB.

Drawdown Indicators

	XBB	SCYB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.87%	-4.92%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-2.44%	-0.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.12%	-0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.33%	-0.52%	-0.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	0.54%	+0.13%

Volatility

XBB vs. SCYB - Volatility Comparison

BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) has a higher volatility of 1.25% compared to Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB) at 1.09%. This indicates that XBB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCYB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XBB	SCYB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	1.09%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	2.94%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	3.75%	+0.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.08%	5.13%	+1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.08%	5.13%	+1.95%

XBB vs. SCYB - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than SCYB's 0.03% 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

XBB vs. SCYB - Dividend Comparison

XBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, less than SCYB's 6.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
SCYB Schwab High Yield Bond ETF	6.92%	6.99%	7.06%	3.36%	0.00%
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	5.55%	5.42%	6.35%	6.15%	3.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XBB and SCYB in my portfolio?

XBB and SCYB have a correlation of 0.80, 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 SCYB?

XBB has higher volatility (1.25%) compared to SCYB (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBB dropped -8.87% vs SCYB's -4.92%.

Which ETF is better, XBB or SCYB?

On 1-year performance, SCYB leads with 7.03% vs 6.37% for XBB. On fees, SCYB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, SCYB has been the lower-risk option at 1.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XBB or SCYB?

Over the 1-year period, SCYB has performed better with a 7.03% return vs 6.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XBB or SCYB?

SCYB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for XBB.

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

SCYB has the higher dividend yield at 6.92%, compared with 5.55% for XBB.

What is the main difference between XBB and SCYB?

XBB tracks ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while SCYB tracks ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XBB and 0.03% for SCYB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCYB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 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.