Dividend comparison
HYG vs JNK: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF and State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
HYG vs JNK: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. JNK is cheaper at 0.40% a year versus 0.49% for HYG. On $10,000 that is $9 a year less in fees.
- Income. JNK pays more income, yielding 6.87% over the last twelve months versus 6.12% for HYG. That is about $75 more a year on $10,000. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, JNK returned 14.2% versus 11.2% for HYG, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $11,417 in JNK and $11,120 in HYG.
- Risk. Their worst declines over the last 5 years were similar: -15.8% for HYG and -16.7% for JNK from peak to trough.
- Diversification. HYG holds 1,334 positions and JNK holds 1,161.
- Dividend growth. JNK grew its yearly payout 8.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.1% for HYG.
- Size. HYG is the larger fund with $16.8 billion in assets, against $5.6 billion for JNK.
Bottom line: JNK has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. HYG does not lead on any of the measures compared here.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | JNK State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 6.12% | 6.87% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $4.70 | $6.33 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.3416 on Oct 6, 2026 | $0.5313 on Oct 6, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 7.1% over 4 yrs | 8.3% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $76.83 | $92.24 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 4 years |
| Beta | 0.67 | 0.67 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -15.8% | -16.7% |
| Market cap | $17.19B | $7.10B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.49% | 0.40% |
| Assets under management | $16.80B | $5.63B |
| Number of holdings | 1334 | 1161 |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
HYG
$50.97/mo
$612 /yr at 6.12% yield
JNK
$57.21/mo
$687 /yr at 6.87% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. HYG pays monthly; JNK pays monthly.
| Year | HYG | JNK |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.6075 | $6.3585 |
| 2024 | $4.7241 | $6.3287 |
| 2023 | $4.4446 | $6.0464 |
| 2022 | $3.9032 | $5.4563 |
| 2021 | $3.4982 | $4.6304 |
Strategy: Bonds
Funds that hold government, corporate or municipal debt and pay out the interest as monthly income. The two numbers that explain most of their behavior are duration, which sets how much the price moves when interest rates change, and credit quality, which sets how much extra yield is earned for default risk. Long-term Treasury funds move a lot with rates, while short-term funds behave closer to cash.
Bond prices fall when interest rates rise, and long-duration funds can lose as much as stocks in a fast rate-hiking cycle.
Performance
Total returns with dividends reinvested, from the adjusted closing price series. $10,000 invested on Oct 20, 2021 would now be worth $11,120 in HYG and $11,417 in JNK.
| Period | HYG | JNK |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -2.16% | -1.88% |
| 3 months | -3.54% | -2.24% |
| Year to date | -4.71% | -0.26% |
| 1 year | -4.08% | 1.10% |
| 3 years | 21.43% | 25.63% |
| 5 years | 11.20% | 14.17% |
- HYG
- JNK
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Sector allocation
Weight of each sector within the fund. Sectors are aligned on the same row so the two funds can be read against each other directly.
- HYG
- JNK
Quick verdict
JNK has the edge on these figures, with lower fees, more income today, stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. HYG does not lead on any of the measures compared here. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how HYG vs JNK fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is HYG or JNK better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. HYG currently yields 6.12% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while JNK yields 6.87%. Higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, but may come with different risk, growth, or NAV characteristics. Compare total return and payout sustainability — not just the headline yield.
What is the difference between HYG and JNK?
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) is an ETF listed on AMEX. State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) is an ETF listed on AMEX. Side-by-side metrics on this page cover yield, fees, returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history when available.
Which is cheaper, HYG or JNK?
JNK has the lower expense ratio. HYG charges 0.49% a year and JNK charges 0.40%, a difference of $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, HYG or JNK?
Over the last 5 years, JNK has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: HYG returned 11.2% and JNK returned 14.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, HYG or JNK?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, JNK has been riskier: HYG fell as much as 15.8% and JNK as much as 16.7%. Their betas are 0.67 and 0.67.
How often do HYG and JNK pay dividends?
Both pay monthly. The most recent payments were $0.3416 for HYG and $0.5313 for JNK.
How much income does $10,000 in HYG vs JNK generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in HYG would generate roughly $50.97 per month ($612 annually). The same amount in JNK would produce about $57.21 per month ($687 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both HYG and JNK?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify strategy or index exposure. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on overlapping holdings and factor exposure. Model both inside Dividend Wealth to see combined income, sector mix, and forecast impact.
Where can I compare HYG vs JNK with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how HYG and JNK fit alongside the rest of your portfolio. A 14-day free trial of Standard is available with no credit card required; a limited Free plan is also available.
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.