YLD vs. BNDW
YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and BNDW (Vanguard Total World Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while BNDW is a Global Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Float Adjusted Composite Index. YLD is actively managed, while BNDW is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YLD returned 4.77%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for BNDW. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for BNDW.
Performance
YLD vs. BNDW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 2.97% return, which is significantly higher than BNDW's 0.54% return.
YLD
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 0.39%
- YTD
- 2.97%
- 6M
- 3.53%
- 1Y
- 7.28%
- 3Y*
- 8.69%
- 5Y*
- 4.77%
- 10Y*
- 5.73%
BNDW
- 1D
- 0.12%
- 1M
- 0.42%
- YTD
- 0.54%
- 6M
- 0.44%
- 1Y
- 3.25%
- 3Y*
- 4.07%
- 5Y*
- 0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
YLD vs. BNDW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 2.97% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -5.44% |
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 0.54% | 5.02% | 2.42% | 7.18% | -12.88% | -2.10% | 6.22% | 8.37% | 1.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between YLD and BNDW is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2018 | 0.25 |
Over the past year, YLD and BNDW have become more correlated (0.45) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
YLD vs. BNDW — Risk / Return Rank
YLD
BNDW
YLD vs. BNDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW). 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.
| YLD | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.17 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 1.21 | +2.48 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.81 | 3.42 | +9.39 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| YLD | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.69 | 0.98 | +0.71 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 | 0.05 | +0.70 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.70 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.65 | 0.38 | +0.27 |
Drawdowns
YLD vs. BNDW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, which is greater than BNDW's maximum drawdown of -17.22%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and BNDW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| YLD | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.34% | -17.22% | -11.12% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.98% | -2.70% | +0.72% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.62% | -4.27% | -1.35% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.89% | -16.93% | +3.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -1.42% | +1.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -4.98% | +2.28% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.57% | 0.96% | -0.39% |
Volatility
YLD vs. BNDW - Volatility Comparison
Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and Vanguard Total World Bond ETF (BNDW) have volatilities of 1.31% and 1.31%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| YLD | BNDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 1.31% | 0.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.50% | 2.63% | +0.87% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.34% | 3.36% | +0.98% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 5.21% | +1.18% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.21% | 4.90% | +3.31% |
YLD vs. BNDW - Expense Ratio Comparison
YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than BNDW's 0.05% expense ratio.
Dividends
YLD vs. BNDW - Dividend Comparison
YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.26%, more than BNDW's 4.21% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BNDW Vanguard Total World Bond ETF | 4.21% | 4.12% | 3.90% | 3.73% | 2.02% | 2.58% | 1.56% | 3.05% | 1.66% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 7.26% | 7.33% | 7.12% | 6.46% | 6.51% | 3.92% | 4.40% | 4.81% | 5.42% | 6.28% | 4.47% | 2.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
YLD and BNDW have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BNDW has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to YLD (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs BNDW's -17.22%.
On 5-year performance, YLD leads with 4.77% vs 0.25% for BNDW. On fees, BNDW is cheaper at 0.05% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, YLD has performed better with a 4.77% return vs 0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BNDW is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.
YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 4.21% for BNDW.
YLD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while BNDW is Global Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Principal and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.05% for BNDW.
YLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 0.98), 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.
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