JNK vs USHY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, JNK yields more: 6.25% (dividend yield) against 5.93% for USHY. USHY is cheaper to own at 0.08% a year vs 0.40%. Over the same 9 years (Oct 2017 to Oct 2026), USHY returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and JNK 3.9%.
JNKState Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF6.25%dividend yield| Compared | JNK | USHY |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 6.25% | 5.93% |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.08% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +2.0% | +1.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +8.5% | +8.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.3% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.4% | — |
| Worst drop since Oct 2017 | -16.2% | -15.3% |
| Share price since Oct 2017 | −17% | −14% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | iShares |
| Assets | $6.1B | $26.7B |
| Started | 2007 | 2017 |
| Type | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
Higher yield
JNK
6.25%
Lower cost
USHY
0.08%
Better total return
USHY
4.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
USHY
-15.3%
Key facts: JNK vs USHY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, JNK yields 6.25% (dividend yield) and USHY yields 5.93% (dividend yield).
- JNK's expense ratio is 0.40% and USHY's is 0.08%: $40 vs $8 a year on $10,000.
- From Oct 2017 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JNK grew to $14,089 (3.9% a year) and $10,000 in USHY to $14,810 (4.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -16.2% for JNK and -15.3% for USHY.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "JNK vs USHY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jnk-vs-ushy
$10,000 in each, Oct 2017 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
JNK became
$14,089
3.9% a year
USHY became
$14,810
4.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | JNK | USHY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +8.8% | +8.8% |
| 2024 | +7.7% | +8.4% |
| 2023 | +12.4% | +12.7% |
| 2022 | −12.2% | −11.2% |
| 2021 | +4.0% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | +4.9% | +6.2% |
| 2019 | +14.9% | +14.2% |
| 2018 | −3.3% | −2.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
JNK
- Holdings not reported.
USHY
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.5%
JNK vs USHY: questions
Is JNK or USHY better?
It depends on the job. JNK pays more today (6.25% vs 5.93%), USHY costs less, and USHY has the better total return over Oct 2017 to Oct 2026, with USHY 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, JNK or USHY?
JNK, at 6.25% against 5.93% for USHY as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $625 vs $593 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
USHY. From Oct 2017 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.9% for JNK. $10,000 became $14,810 vs $14,089.
Which is cheaper, JNK or USHY?
USHY, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.40%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. USHY leads on 5 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.