YLD vs. HYLB
YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and HYLB (Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. YLD is actively managed, while HYLB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, YLD returned 4.77%/yr vs 4.06%/yr for HYLB. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for HYLB.
Performance
YLD vs. HYLB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 2.97% return, which is significantly higher than HYLB's 1.65% 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%
HYLB
- 1D
- 0.11%
- 1M
- 0.35%
- YTD
- 1.65%
- 6M
- 2.09%
- 1Y
- 6.78%
- 3Y*
- 8.79%
- 5Y*
- 4.06%
- 10Y*
- —
YLD vs. HYLB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF | 2.97% | 6.55% | 9.19% | 12.93% | -8.78% | 9.17% | 1.50% | 13.58% | -3.30% | 9.12% |
HYLB Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.65% | 8.74% | 8.14% | 12.03% | -10.80% | 3.94% | 5.04% | 14.06% | -1.80% | 6.00% |
Correlation
The correlation between YLD and HYLB is 0.75, 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 | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.70 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 8, 2016 | 0.58 |
The correlation between YLD and HYLB shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (all time) to 0.75 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
YLD vs. HYLB — Risk / Return Rank
YLD
HYLB
YLD vs. HYLB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYLB). 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 | HYLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.16 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.36 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.70 | 3.00 | +0.70 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.81 | 12.90 | -0.10 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| YLD | HYLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.69 | 1.84 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.75 | 0.55 | +0.20 |
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 | 0.58 | +0.07 |
Drawdowns
YLD vs. HYLB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, which is greater than HYLB's maximum drawdown of -22.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and HYLB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| YLD | HYLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.34% | -22.91% | -5.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.98% | -2.27% | +0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -5.62% | -4.51% | -1.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -13.89% | -15.54% | +1.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -28.34% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -0.09% | -0.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.70% | -2.43% | -0.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.57% | 0.53% | +0.04% |
Volatility
YLD vs. HYLB - Volatility Comparison
Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) has a higher volatility of 1.31% compared to Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYLB) at 1.19%. This indicates that YLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYLB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| YLD | HYLB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.31% | 1.19% | +0.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 3.50% | 2.92% | +0.58% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.34% | 3.70% | +0.64% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.39% | 7.47% | -1.08% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 8.21% | 8.18% | +0.03% |
YLD vs. HYLB - Expense Ratio Comparison
YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than HYLB's 0.15% expense ratio.
Dividends
YLD vs. HYLB - Dividend Comparison
YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.26%, more than HYLB's 6.48% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYLB Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 6.48% | 6.29% | 6.31% | 5.84% | 5.53% | 4.45% | 5.22% | 5.71% | 5.95% | 5.85% | 0.27% | 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 HYLB have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
YLD has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to HYLB (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs HYLB's -22.91%.
On 5-year performance, YLD leads with 4.77% vs 4.06% for HYLB. On fees, HYLB is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, HYLB has been the lower-risk option at 1.19%. 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 4.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYLB is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.
YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 6.48% for HYLB.
They also come from different issuers: Principal and DWS. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.15% for HYLB.
HYLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 1.69), 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.
Find the right allocation for YLD and HYLB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer