XHYE vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XHYE (BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds - XHYE tracks the ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Energy 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, XHYE returned 8.50%/yr vs 10.82%/yr for HYEM. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XHYE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

XHYE vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE) 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, XHYE achieves a 3.57% return, which is significantly lower than HYEM's 3.81% return.

XHYE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 6M: 3.82%
• 1Y: 8.97%
• 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)

XHYE vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XHYE BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF	3.57%	6.73%	7.46%	11.49%	-1.77%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.81%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-9.87%

Correlation

The correlation between XHYE and HYEM is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between XHYE and HYEM has dropped to 0.31 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

XHYE vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XHYE	HYEM
Energy	49.2%	-
Technology	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	100.0%
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

XHYE vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XHYE

XHYE Risk / Return Rank: 94
XHYE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XHYE Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
XHYE Omega Ratio Rank: 94
XHYE Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
XHYE Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

XHYE vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE) 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.

	XHYE	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.18	2.33	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.13	3.42	+1.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.46	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.50	3.71	+4.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.98	15.14	+11.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XHYE vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XHYE Sharpe Ratio is 3.18, which is higher than the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XHYE 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

	XHYE	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.18	2.33	+0.84
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	0.84	0.54	+0.30

Drawdowns

XHYE vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XHYE drawdown since its inception was -8.87%, smaller than the maximum HYEM drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XHYE and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XHYE	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.87%	-30.96%	+22.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.21%	-2.73%	+1.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.40%	-5.23%	-1.17%
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	-0.36%	-0.20%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.42%	-4.40%	+2.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.38%	0.67%	-0.29%

Volatility

XHYE vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE) is 0.56%, while VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that XHYE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XHYE	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.56%	1.32%	-0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.98%	3.21%	-1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.24%	4.33%	-1.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.60%	7.49%	+0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.60%	9.27%	-1.67%

XHYE vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XHYE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XHYE vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

XHYE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.79%, less 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%
XHYE BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF	5.79%	6.55%	7.04%	6.46%	5.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XHYE and HYEM in my portfolio?

XHYE and HYEM have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XHYE or HYEM?

HYEM has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to XHYE (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XHYE dropped -8.87% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, XHYE or HYEM?

On 3-year performance, HYEM leads with 10.82% vs 8.50% for XHYE. On fees, XHYE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XHYE has been the lower-risk option at 0.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XHYE 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, XHYE or HYEM?

XHYE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for HYEM.

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

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 5.79% for XHYE.

What is the main difference between XHYE and HYEM?

XHYE tracks ICE Diversified US Cash Pay High Yield Energy 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: 0.35% for XHYE and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XHYE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 vs 2.33), 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.