A head-to-head comparison of iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF and State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on HYG.
ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for its flagship SPDR suite of exchange-traded products that serve both institutional and retail investors across a broad range of asset classes. Their 88-fund lineup spans diverse strategies including sector exposure (Select Sector SPDR), income generation (Income and Select Sector SPDR Premium Income families), commodities (including the widely-held GLD gold ETF), bonds, ESG-focused investments, and thematic allocations, with popular tickers like DIA (Diamonds Trust), FEZ (Eurozone exposure), and JNK (high-yield bonds) among their most recognized funds. The issuer is characterized by its comprehensive coverage across multiple market segments and its emphasis on both traditional index-based products and specialized strategies like covered call income funds and factor-based investing.
See our curated list of related YouTube videos on JNK.
Tracks the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index.
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Asset class
Fixed Income
Fixed Income
Inception date
04/04/2007
11/28/2007
Beta
0.66
0.67
Last dividend
$0.3688
$0.5308
Ex-dividend date
07/01/2026
08/03/2026
Bottom lineChoose HYG if you want fixed-income ballast that steadies the portfolio when stocks fall. Choose JNK if you want higher current income (6.64% vs 5.55% for HYG).
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Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Total returns
HYG has outpaced JNK over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.00% total return against 4.93%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: HYG has compounded at 4.63% a year, against 4.59% for JNK. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.
Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of July 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Dec 2007” measures every fund from December 4, 2007 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.
Quick verdict
HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) and JNK (State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF) are both monthly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.
JNK offers the higher yield at 6.64% vs 5.55% for HYG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
JNK is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.40% compared to 0.49%.
HYG is the larger fund by assets ($16.1B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, HYG would generate roughly $46.25/month, while JNK would produce $55.33/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay monthly distributions.
HYG yield5.55%
JNK yield6.64%
Monthly diff on $10K$9.08
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, HYG would cost approximately $490 in fees vs $400 for JNK (simplified, not compounded). The $90.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
HYG ER0.49%
JNK ER0.40%
Strategy & risk
HYG tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while JNK is an ETF. Beta is 0.66 for HYG and 0.67 for JNK, indicating HYG is less volatile relative to the market.
HYG beta0.66
JNK beta0.67
Fund details
HYG is managed by iShares (launched 04/04/2007) with $16.1B in assets. JNK is managed by State Street (launched 11/28/2007) with $7.74B in assets.
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Frequently asked questions
Is HYG or JNK better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. JNK currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between HYG and JNK?
HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) tracks Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index, while JNK (State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF) is an ETF. They are issued by iShares and State Street respectively.
Can I hold both HYG and JNK?
Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.
Which has lower fees, HYG or JNK?
HYG has an expense ratio of 0.49% while JNK charges 0.40%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in HYG vs JNK generate?
At current rates, $10,000 in HYG would generate roughly $46.25 per month ($555.00 annually). The same in JNK would produce about $55.33 per month ($664.00 annually).
Which has performed better historically, HYG or JNK?
HYG has outpaced JNK over the trailing twelve months, posting a 5.00% total return against 4.93%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: HYG has compounded at 4.63% a year, against 4.59% for JNK. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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