HYLS vs JPHY
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF vs JPMorgan Active High Yield ETF
Which is better, HYLS or JPHY?
JPHY has been ahead.
JPHY has a lower expense ratio. JPHY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91.
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 | HYLS | JPHY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.45%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $2.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.92% | 6.58% |
| Holdings | 662 | 1,098 |
| YTD Return | -0.95% | +0.66%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.00% | +2.32%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.89% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.26% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4% | 2.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -3.1% | -2.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $10,246 | $10,477Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | J.P. Morgan Asset Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | Jun 24, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.3 years).
HYLS vs JPHY 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
HYLS vs JPHY Performance
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and JPMorgan Active High Yield ETF (JPHY) is an ETF from J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Over the past year HYLS returned +0.00% while JPHY returned +2.32%. Year to date, HYLS is down 0.95% versus a gain of 0.66% for JPHY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HYLS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3.4% compared with 2.9% for JPHY. 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 -3.1% for HYLS and -2.5% for JPHY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYLS charges 1.05% per year while JPHY charges 0.45%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $45 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYLS currently yields 6.92% against 6.58% for JPHY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYLS and JPHY 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, HYLS or JPHY?
HYLS has an expense ratio of 1.05% while JPHY charges 0.45%. JPHY is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYLS or JPHY?
Over the past year HYLS returned +0.00% vs +2.32% for JPHY, so JPHY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HYLS annualized +1.89% vs +3.65% for JPHY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYLS or JPHY?
HYLS has been the more volatile fund at 3.4% annualized versus 2.9% for JPHY. Worst drawdown: HYLS -3.1% vs JPHY -2.5%.
Should I hold both HYLS and JPHY?
HYLS and JPHY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, 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, HYLS or JPHY?
HYLS yields 6.92% while JPHY yields 6.58%, so HYLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is JPHY better than HYLS?
JPHY has a lower expense ratio. JPHY led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.