HYG vs SJNK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SJNK yields more: 5.98% (dividend yield) against 5.55% for HYG. SJNK is cheaper to own at 0.40% a year vs 0.49%. Over the same 14 years (Mar 2012 to Oct 2026), SJNK returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and HYG 4.5%.
HYGiShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF5.55%dividend yield| Compared | HYG | SJNK |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 5.55% | 5.98% |
| Expense ratio | 0.49% | 0.40% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +1.6% | +1.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +8.4% | +7.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.4% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.3% | +4.9% |
| Worst drop since Mar 2012 | -15.3% | -11.7% |
| Share price since Mar 2012 | −15% | −19% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | State Street Investment Management |
| Assets | $17.7B | $4.3B |
| Started | 2007 | 2012 |
| Type | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
Higher yield
SJNK
5.98%
Lower cost
SJNK
0.40%
Better total return
SJNK
4.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SJNK
-11.7%
Key facts: HYG vs SJNK
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, HYG yields 5.55% (dividend yield) and SJNK yields 5.98% (dividend yield).
- HYG's expense ratio is 0.49% and SJNK's is 0.40%: $49 vs $40 a year on $10,000.
- From Mar 2012 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in HYG grew to $18,973 (4.5% a year) and $10,000 in SJNK to $19,086 (4.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -15.3% for HYG and -11.7% for SJNK.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "HYG vs SJNK: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/hyg-vs-sjnk
$10,000 in each, Mar 2012 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
HYG became
$18,973
4.5% a year
SJNK became
$19,086
4.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | HYG | SJNK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.6% | +7.7% |
| 2024 | +8.0% | +8.2% |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +11.6% |
| 2022 | −11.0% | −5.5% |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +5.1% |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +5.8% |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +9.5% |
| 2018 | −2.0% | −0.2% |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +5.3% |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +14.2% |
| 2015 | −5.0% | −6.3% |
| 2014 | +1.9% | −1.3% |
| 2013 | +5.7% | +6.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
HYG
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.1%
SJNK
- Holdings not reported.
HYG vs SJNK: questions
Is HYG or SJNK better?
It depends on the job. SJNK pays more today (5.98% vs 5.55%), SJNK costs less, and SJNK has the better total return over Mar 2012 to Oct 2026, with SJNK 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 SJNK?
SJNK, at 5.98% against 5.55% for HYG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $598 vs $555 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SJNK. From Mar 2012 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.5% for HYG. $10,000 became $19,086 vs $18,973.
Which is cheaper, HYG or SJNK?
SJNK, with a 0.40% expense ratio against 0.49%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SJNK leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.