HYG vs HYGW
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF vs iShares High Yield Corporate Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF
Which is better, HYG or HYGW?
HYG has been ahead.
HYG has a lower expense ratio. HYG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | HYG | HYGW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Best | 0.69% |
| AUM | $17.6B | $110M |
| Dividend Yield | 6.14% | 10.66% |
| Holdings | 2,656 | 8 |
| YTD Return | -0.47%Best | -6.70% |
| 1Y Return | +1.14%Best | -5.76% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.05%Best | +2.49% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.12% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8% | 3.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -7.3% | -7.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $12,861Best | $11,261 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Apr 4, 2007 | Aug 18, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 22, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.1 years).
HYG vs HYGW 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 4.1 years both funds cover.
HYG vs HYGW Performance
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and iShares High Yield Corporate Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF (HYGW) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year HYG returned +1.14% while HYGW returned -5.76%. Year to date, HYG is down 0.47% versus a loss of 6.70% for HYGW.
Over three years, HYG compounded at +8.05% per year against +2.49% for HYGW. Across the full 4-year window we track, HYG has the edge at +6.33% annualized vs +2.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HYG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5.8% compared with 3.9% for HYGW. 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 -7.3% for HYG and -7.2% for HYGW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.85. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYG charges 0.49% per year while HYGW charges 0.69%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $69 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYG currently yields 6.14% against 10.66% for HYGW.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 976 holdings in HYG and 2 in HYGW, totalling 71.2% and 99.7% 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, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 976 positions we hold weights for in HYG and 2 in HYGW, against full books of 2,656 and 8.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HYG | Weight in HYGW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| XTSLABlackrock Cash Funds: Treasury, Sl Agency Shares | 1.13% | 0.16% | 0.97% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYG and HYGW 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, HYG or HYGW?
HYG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while HYGW charges 0.69%. HYG is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYG or HYGW?
Over the past year HYG returned +1.14% vs -5.76% for HYGW, so HYG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), HYG annualized +6.33% vs +2.94% for HYGW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYG or HYGW?
HYG has been the more volatile fund at 5.8% annualized versus 3.9% for HYGW. Worst drawdown: HYG -7.3% vs HYGW -7.2%.
Should I hold both HYG and HYGW?
HYG and HYGW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.85, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HYG or HYGW?
HYG yields 6.14% while HYGW yields 10.66%, so HYGW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HYGW better than HYG?
HYG has a lower expense ratio. HYG led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.