XBB vs. VYM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XBB (BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XBB is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while VYM is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XBB returned 7.84%/yr vs 19.06%/yr for VYM. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XBB charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VYM.

Performance

XBB vs. VYM - 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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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 VYM's 12.42% return.

XBB

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

VYM

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 2.60%
• YTD: 12.42%
• 6M: 11.92%
• 1Y: 26.61%
• 3Y*: 19.06%
• 5Y*: 11.47%
• 10Y*: 11.84%

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

XBB vs. VYM - 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%
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	12.42%	15.42%	17.60%	6.57%	0.37%

Correlation

The correlation between XBB and VYM is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2022	0.57

The correlation between XBB and VYM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

XBB vs. VYM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XBB	VYM
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	6.7%
Industrials	9.2%	12.1%
Communication Services	8.7%	3.5%
Healthcare	6.9%	12.2%
Energy	6.3%	9.8%
Financial Services	6.2%	20.5%
Technology	4.4%	17.7%
Real Estate	4.4%	0.0%
Basic Materials	3.3%	3.5%
Utilities	2.8%	5.7%
Consumer Defensive	2.6%	8.1%

Return for Risk

XBB vs. VYM — 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

VYM

VYM Risk / Return Rank: 80
VYM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
VYM Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
VYM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
VYM Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
VYM Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. VYM - 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 Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM). 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	VYM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.61	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	3.71	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.47	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	3.99	-1.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.49	15.01	-5.53
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. VYM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBB Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the VYM Sharpe Ratio of 2.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBB and VYM, 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	VYM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	2.61	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.51	+0.30

Drawdowns

XBB vs. VYM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBB drawdown since its inception was -8.87%, smaller than the maximum VYM drawdown of -56.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBB and VYM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XBB	VYM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.87%	-56.98%	+48.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-6.69%	+3.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.86%	-14.46%	+10.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.84%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-0.48%	+0.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.33%	-7.19%	+5.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.67%	1.78%	-1.11%

Volatility

XBB vs. VYM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (XBB) is 1.25%, while Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) has a volatility of 2.72%. This indicates that XBB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VYM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XBB	VYM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	2.72%	-1.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	7.66%	-4.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	10.26%	-6.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.08%	13.96%	-6.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.08%	16.34%	-9.26%

XBB vs. VYM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBB has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VYM's 0.04% 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. VYM - Dividend Comparison

XBB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.55%, more than VYM's 2.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF	2.19%	2.44%	2.74%	3.12%	3.01%	2.76%	3.18%	3.03%	3.40%	2.80%	2.91%	3.22%
XBB BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF	5.55%	5.42%	6.35%	6.15%	3.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XBB and VYM in my portfolio?

XBB and VYM have a correlation of 0.50, 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 VYM?

VYM has higher volatility (2.72%) compared to XBB (1.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XBB dropped -8.87% vs VYM's -56.98%.

Which ETF is better, XBB or VYM?

On 3-year performance, VYM leads with 19.06% vs 7.84% for XBB. On fees, VYM is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, XBB has been the lower-risk option at 1.25%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XBB or VYM?

Over the 3-year period, VYM has performed better with a 19.06% 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 VYM?

VYM is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for XBB.

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

XBB has the higher dividend yield at 5.55%, compared with 2.19% for VYM.

What is the main difference between XBB and VYM?

XBB is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VYM is Dividend. XBB tracks ICE BofA BB US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index, while VYM tracks FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: BondBloxx and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for XBB and 0.04% for VYM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VYM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 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.