HYDB vs HYG
iShares High Yield Systematic Bond ETF vs iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
Which is better, HYDB or HYG?
Nearly the same fund. HYDB costs less.
HYDB has a lower expense ratio. HYDB led over the full window, HYG over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HYDB | HYG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $1.6B | $17.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.16% | 6.14% |
| Holdings | 252 | 2,656 |
| YTD Return | -5.91% | -0.47%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.61% | +1.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.25% | +8.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.70% | +3.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.7% | 7.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -21.6%Best | -22.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,425 | $11,660Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Jul 11, 2017 | Apr 4, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (9.3 years).
HYDB vs HYG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 9.3 years both funds cover.
HYDB vs HYG Performance
iShares High Yield Systematic Bond ETF (HYDB) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year HYDB returned -4.61% while HYG returned +1.14%. Year to date, HYDB is down 5.91% versus a loss of 0.47% for HYG.
Over three years, HYDB compounded at +6.25% per year against +8.05% for HYG; over five years the annualized figures are +2.70% and +3.12% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, HYDB has the edge at +4.39% annualized vs +1.85%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HYDB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.7% compared with 7.6% for HYG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -21.6% for HYDB and -22.9% for HYG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYDB charges 0.35% per year while HYG charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $49 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYDB currently yields 7.16% against 6.14% for HYG.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 183 holdings in HYDB and 976 in HYG, totalling 73.3% and 71.2% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 122 positions appear in both.
122 positions in common, counted across the 183 positions we hold weights for in HYDB and 976 in HYG, against full books of 252 and 2,656.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HYDB | Weight in HYG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 0.13% | 1.13% | 1.00% |
| RAKUTN 9.75 04/15/29Rakuten Group I 9.75% 04/15/29 | 0.75% | 0.21% | 0.54% |
| DVA 4.625 06/01/30 1Davita Inc Sr Nt 144a 4.625 2030-06-01 | 0.74% | 0.22% | 0.52% |
| VENLNG 8.375 06/01/3Venture Global Lng Inc Regd 144A P/P | 0.75% | 0.20% | 0.55% |
| VENLNG 9.875 02/01/3Venture Global 9.875% 02/01/32 | 0.76% | 0.17% | 0.59% |
| BECN 6.75 04/30/32 1Queen Mergerco Inc 144A 6.75% Apr 30, 2032 | 0.74% | 0.19% | 0.55% |
| WIN 8.25 10/01/31 14Windstream Escrow Llc / Windstream Escrow Finance Corp 8.25% 2031-10-01 | 0.71% | 0.21% | 0.50% |
| CRWV 9.25 06/01/30 1Coreweave Inc 9.25% 06/01/30 | 0.72% | 0.17% | 0.55% |
| HNDLIN 4.75 01/30/30Novelis Corp. 4.75% 01/30/2030 | 0.75% | 0.13% | 0.62% |
| AMCX 10.5 07/15/32 1Amc Networks In 10.5% 07/15/32 | 0.76% | 0.11% | 0.65% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYDB and HYG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HYDB or HYG?
HYDB has an expense ratio of 0.35% while HYG charges 0.49%. HYDB is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYDB or HYG?
Over the past year HYDB returned -4.61% vs +1.14% for HYG, so HYG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), HYDB annualized +4.39% vs +1.85% for HYG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYDB or HYG?
HYDB has been the more volatile fund at 7.7% annualized versus 7.6% for HYG. Worst drawdown: HYDB -21.6% vs HYG -22.9%.
Should I hold both HYDB and HYG?
HYDB and HYG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HYDB or HYG?
HYDB yields 7.16% while HYG yields 6.14%, so HYDB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HYG better than HYDB?
HYDB has a lower expense ratio. HYDB led over the full window, HYG over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.