SJNK vs USHY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SJNK yields more: 5.98% (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), SJNK returned 4.6% a year with distributions reinvested, and USHY 4.5%.
| Compared | SJNK | USHY |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 5.98% | 5.93% |
| Expense ratio | 0.40% | 0.08% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +1.7% | +1.9% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +7.6% | +8.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +4.4% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.9% | — |
| Worst drop since Oct 2017 | -11.7% | -15.3% |
| Share price since Oct 2017 | −13% | −14% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | iShares |
| Assets | $4.3B | $26.7B |
| Started | 2012 | 2017 |
| Type | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
Higher yield
SJNK
5.98%
Lower cost
USHY
0.08%
Better total return
SJNK
4.6%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SJNK
-11.7%
Key facts: SJNK vs USHY
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SJNK yields 5.98% (dividend yield) and USHY yields 5.93% (dividend yield).
- SJNK'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 SJNK grew to $15,016 (4.6% a year) and $10,000 in USHY to $14,810 (4.5% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -11.7% for SJNK and -15.3% for USHY.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SJNK vs USHY: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/sjnk-vs-ushy
$10,000 in each, Oct 2017 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SJNK became
$15,016
4.6% a year
USHY became
$14,810
4.5% a year
Year by year
| Year | SJNK | USHY |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +7.7% | +8.8% |
| 2024 | +8.2% | +8.4% |
| 2023 | +11.6% | +12.7% |
| 2022 | −5.5% | −11.2% |
| 2021 | +5.1% | +5.0% |
| 2020 | +5.8% | +6.2% |
| 2019 | +9.5% | +14.2% |
| 2018 | −0.2% | −2.4% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
No overlap in the top ten.
SJNK
- Holdings not reported.
USHY
- XTSLA BlackRock Cash Funds Treasury SL Agency1.5%
SJNK vs USHY: questions
Is SJNK or USHY better?
It depends on the job. SJNK pays more today (5.98% vs 5.93%), USHY costs less, and SJNK has the better total return over Oct 2017 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, SJNK or USHY?
SJNK, at 5.98% against 5.93% for USHY as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $598 vs $593 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SJNK. From Oct 2017 to Oct 2026, it returned 4.6% a year with distributions reinvested, against 4.5% for USHY. $10,000 became $15,016 vs $14,810.
Which is cheaper, SJNK or USHY?
USHY, with a 0.08% expense ratio against 0.40%.
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 4 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.