HYG vs JNK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, JNK yields more: 6.25% (dividend yield) against 5.55% for HYG. JNK is cheaper to own at 0.40% a year vs 0.49%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), HYG returned 4.9% a year with distributions reinvested, and JNK 4.8%.
HYGiShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF5.55%dividend yield
JNKState Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF6.25%dividend yield| Compared | HYG | JNK |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 5.55% | 6.25% |
| Expense ratio | 0.49% | 0.40% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +1.6% | +2.0% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +8.4% | +8.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.4% | +3.3% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.3% | +4.4% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -29.8% | -35.6% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | −23% | −35% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Assets | $17.7B | $6.1B |
| Started | 2007 | 2007 |
| Type | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
Higher yield
JNK
6.25%
Lower cost
JNK
0.40%
Better total return
HYG
4.9%/yr
Smaller worst drop
HYG
-29.8%
Key facts: HYG vs JNK
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, HYG yields 5.55% (dividend yield) and JNK yields 6.25% (dividend yield).
- HYG's expense ratio is 0.49% and JNK's is 0.40%: $49 vs $40 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in HYG grew to $24,642 (4.9% a year) and $10,000 in JNK to $24,085 (4.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -29.8% for HYG and -35.6% for JNK.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "HYG vs JNK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/hyg-vs-jnk
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
HYG became
$24,642
4.9% a year
JNK became
$24,085
4.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | HYG | JNK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.6% | +8.8% |
| 2024 | +8.0% | +7.7% |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +12.4% |
| 2022 | −11.0% | −12.2% |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +4.0% |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +4.9% |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +14.9% |
| 2018 | −2.0% | −3.3% |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +6.5% |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +14.4% |
| 2015 | −5.0% | −6.8% |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +5.7% | +5.9% |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +13.5% |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +5.1% |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +14.2% |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +37.4% |
| 2008 | −17.6% | −24.7% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
HYG
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.1%
JNK
- Holdings not reported.
HYG vs JNK: questions
Is HYG or JNK better?
It depends on the job. JNK pays more today (6.25% vs 5.55%), JNK costs less, and HYG has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with HYG holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, HYG or JNK?
JNK, at 6.25% against 5.55% for HYG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $625 vs $555 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
HYG. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.9% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.8% for JNK. $10,000 became $24,642 vs $24,085.
Which is cheaper, HYG or JNK?
JNK, with a 0.40% expense ratio against 0.49%.
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. JNK leads on 5 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.