HYGH vs SPY
iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, HYGH or SPY?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | HYGH | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $656M | $811.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.45% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 403 | 1,515 |
| YTD Return | +3.16% | +13.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.60% | +16.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.84% | +23.72%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.75% | +13.95%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 14.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.0%Best | -34.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,862 | $19,212Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 27, 2014 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 29, 2014 to Oct 2, 2026 (12.3 years).
HYGH vs SPY 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
HYGH vs SPY Performance
iShares Interest Rate Hedged High Yield Bond ETF (HYGH) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year HYGH returned +4.60% while SPY returned +16.25%. Year to date, HYGH is up 3.16% versus a gain of 13.54% for SPY.
Over three years, HYGH compounded at +8.84% per year against +23.72% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +6.75% and +13.95% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +12.58% annualized vs +1.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 6.7% for HYGH. 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 -33.0% for HYGH and -34.1% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYGH charges 0.52% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $9 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYGH currently yields 6.45% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HYGH and 504 in SPY, totalling 97.8% and 99.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HYGH and 504 in SPY, against full books of 403 and 1,515.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYGH and SPY 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, HYGH or SPY?
HYGH has an expense ratio of 0.52% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYGH or SPY?
Over the past year HYGH returned +4.60% vs +16.25% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), HYGH annualized +1.78% vs +12.58% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYGH or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 6.7% for HYGH. Worst drawdown: HYGH -33.0% vs SPY -34.1%.
Should I hold both HYGH and SPY?
HYGH and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, HYGH or SPY?
HYGH yields 6.45% while SPY yields 0.98%, so HYGH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than HYGH?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.