LQD vs JNK: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF against SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF, over the same 18 years (January 2008 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From January 2008 to October 2026, LQD returned 3.9% a year and JNK 15.0% a year on average, so JNK came out ahead by 11.2% a year. JNK was the more volatile of the two (12.4% against 8.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 23.3% for LQD and 27.4% for JNK.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.63: they moved together only in part. Over 191 rolling 3-year periods, LQD did better in 2% and JNK in 98%.
Side by side
| LQD | JNK | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +3.9% | +15.0% |
| Total return | +104% | +1300% |
| Annual volatility | 8.3% | 12.4% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −23.3% | −27.4% |
| Worst month | −10.7% | −17.6% |
| Best month | +13.8% | +23.1% |
| Positive months | 60% | 72% |
| Best year | 2019: +17.4% | 2009: +81.8% |
| Worst year | 2022: −17.9% | 2022: −12.2% |
| 1-year return | −3.9% | +1.3% |
| 5 years, a year | −0.8% | +3.1% |
| 10 years, a year | +1.9% | +7.2% |
| Trading currency | USD | USD |
First nine rows: the same 226 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: LQD vs JNK
Returns by calendar year
| Year | LQD | JNK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.9% | +8.8% |
| 2024 | +0.9% | +7.7% |
| 2023 | +9.4% | +12.4% |
| 2022 | −17.9% | −12.2% |
| 2021 | −1.8% | +4.0% |
| 2020 | +10.7% | +4.5% |
| 2019 | +17.4% | +19.2% |
| 2018 | −3.8% | +8.2% |
| 2017 | +7.1% | +19.1% |
| 2016 | +6.2% | +29.8% |
| 2015 | −1.3% | +5.1% |
| 2014 | +8.2% | +13.0% |
| 2013 | −2.0% | +19.6% |
| 2012 | +10.6% | +30.5% |
| 2011 | +9.7% | +24.0% |
| 2010 | +9.3% | +42.9% |
| 2009 | +8.5% | +81.8% |
| 2008 | +2.4% | −6.5% |
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.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, LQD or JNK?
From January 2008 to October 2026, LQD returned +3.9% a year and JNK +15.0% a year, with dividends reinvested. Over rolling 3-year periods LQD did better in 2% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, LQD or JNK?
Over the same months annual volatility was 8.3% for LQD and 12.4% for JNK; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 23.3% and 27.4%, and the worst single month −10.7% and −17.6%.
How correlated are LQD and JNK?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.63: they moved together only in part. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
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.