HYG: iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF returns, drawdowns and risk
Funds on bonds issued by companies (investment grade and high yield), emerging market governments and US municipalities.
Data updated October 2026
HYG · US exchange · USDCategory: Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFsData from April 2007
From April 2007 to October 2026 HYG returned 4.8% a year on average with dividends reinvested, in US dollars: $10,000 invested at the start grew to $24,803.
Its deepest fall was 34.2%, from September 2007 to November 2008, and it took about 26 months to get back to the previous high. Annual volatility was 10.8%; at the last close it was 2.7% below its high.
Against AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF), over the 234 months both have data, the correlation of monthly returns was 0.45: they moved together only in part. Beta was 0.98. In months when AGG rose, HYG moved 119% as much on average; in months when AGG fell, 83% as much.
Key figures
- Annual return (CAGR)
- +4.8%
- 1-year return
- +1.1%
- 5 years, a year
- +3.2%
- 10 years, a year
- +4.1%
- Annual volatility
- 10.8%
- Maximum drawdown
- −34.2%
- Sharpe ratio
- 0.33
- Worst year
- 2008: −17.6%
Trailing returns
| Period | HYG | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +1.1% | −1.9% |
| 3 years, a year | +8.5% | +5.2% |
| 5 years, a year | +3.2% | −0.3% |
| 10 years, a year | +4.1% | +1.2% |
To the last close of October 2026. Periods longer than a year are annualised.
Growth of $10,000: HYG vs AGG
Month-end values from May 2007, the first month both funds have data.
HYG drawdowns
Percentage below the previous high, weekly.
Returns by calendar year
| Year | HYG | AGG |
|---|---|---|
| 2026(partial) | −0.2% | −1.8% |
| 2025 | +8.6% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +8.0% | +1.3% |
| 2023 | +11.6% | +5.7% |
| 2022 | −11.0% | −13.0% |
| 2021 | +3.8% | −1.8% |
| 2020 | +4.0% | +7.5% |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | −2.0% | +0.1% |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +3.5% |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +2.4% |
| 2015 | −5.0% | +0.5% |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +6.0% |
| 2013 | +5.8% | −2.0% |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +3.8% |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +7.7% |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +6.4% |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +3.0% |
| 2008 | −17.6% | +7.9% |
| 2007(partial) | +1.6% | — |
HYG compared
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Sharpe ratio uses the return of short-term government bills in the same currency as the risk-free rate. The growth chart uses month-end values; drawdowns and volatility use daily closes.
Questions
What is the average annual return of HYG?
From April 2007 to October 2026 HYG returned 4.8% a year on average (CAGR) with dividends reinvested, in USD. Over the last 5 years: +3.2% a year. Over the last 12 months: +1.1%.
What was the worst drawdown of HYG?
34.2%, from September 2007 to November 2008; it took about 26 months from the previous high to get back to it.
How volatile is HYG?
Annual volatility was 10.8% over the period. Its worst month was −11.5% and 65% of months were positive. Worst calendar year: 2008 (−17.6%).
How closely does HYG follow AGG?
Over 234 months the correlation of monthly returns was 0.45, so they moved together only in part, with a beta of 0.98.
Use HYG in a free tool
Other Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFs
- All Corporate, high yield and municipal bond ETFsReturns and risk side by side
- LQD — iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +3.9%
- JNK — SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETFCAGR +15.1%
- VCIT — Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +4.1%
- EMB — iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETFCAGR +4.4%
- MUB — iShares National Muni Bond ETFCAGR +2.9%
- VCSH — Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETFCAGR +2.8%
- IEAC — iShares Core € Corp Bond UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR +0.2%
- IHYG — iShares € High Yield Corp Bond UCITS ETF (Dist)CAGR −0.6%
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.