YLD vs. XHYE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and XHYE (BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. YLD is actively managed, while XHYE is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, YLD returned 8.69%/yr vs 8.50%/yr for XHYE. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XHYE.

Performance

YLD vs. XHYE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 2.97% return, which is significantly lower than XHYE's 3.57% 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%

XHYE

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 6M: 3.82%
• 1Y: 8.97%
• 3Y*: 8.50%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YLD vs. XHYE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	2.97%	6.55%	9.19%	12.93%	-5.57%
XHYE BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF	3.57%	6.73%	7.46%	11.49%	-1.77%

Correlation

The correlation between YLD and XHYE is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2022	0.61

Over the past year, the correlation between YLD and XHYE has dropped to 0.40 - well below their long-term average of 0.61, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

YLD vs. XHYE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

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

Return for Risk

YLD vs. XHYE — Risk / Return Rank

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

YLD

YLD Risk / Return Rank: 60
YLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
YLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
YLD Omega Ratio Rank: 51
YLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
YLD Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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

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.

YLD vs. XHYE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE). 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	XHYE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	3.18	-1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	5.13	-2.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.69	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	8.50	-4.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.81	26.98	-14.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

YLD vs. XHYE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the XHYE Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YLD and XHYE, 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

	YLD	XHYE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	3.18	-1.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	—	—
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	0.84	-0.19

Drawdowns

YLD vs. XHYE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, which is greater than XHYE's maximum drawdown of -8.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and XHYE.

Drawdown Indicators

	YLD	XHYE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.34%	-8.87%	-19.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.98%	-1.21%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.62%	-6.40%	+0.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.24%	-0.36%	+0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.70%	-1.42%	-1.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.57%	0.38%	+0.19%

Volatility

YLD vs. XHYE - Volatility Comparison

Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) has a higher volatility of 1.31% compared to BondBloxx US High Yield Energy Sector ETF (XHYE) at 0.56%. This indicates that YLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XHYE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YLD	XHYE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	0.56%	+0.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.50%	1.98%	+1.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.34%	3.24%	+1.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	7.60%	-1.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.21%	7.60%	+0.61%

YLD vs. XHYE - Expense Ratio Comparison

YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than XHYE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

YLD vs. XHYE - Dividend Comparison

YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.26%, more than XHYE's 5.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
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

Can I hold both YLD and XHYE in my portfolio?

YLD and XHYE have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YLD or XHYE?

YLD has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to XHYE (0.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs XHYE's -8.87%.

Which ETF is better, YLD or XHYE?

On 3-year performance, YLD leads with 8.69% 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, YLD or XHYE?

Over the 3-year period, YLD has performed better with a 8.69% return vs 8.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YLD or XHYE?

XHYE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.

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

YLD has the higher dividend yield at 7.26%, compared with 5.79% for XHYE.

What is the main difference between YLD and XHYE?

They also come from different issuers: Principal and BondBloxx. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.35% for XHYE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XHYE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.18 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.