Dividend comparison
LQD vs HYG: Which Is Better for Income?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
LQD vs HYG: key differences
The short answer, from the latest data on this page.
- Fees. LQD is cheaper at 0.14% a year versus 0.49% for HYG. On $10,000 that is $35 a year less in fees.
- Income. HYG pays more income, yielding 6.12% over the last twelve months versus 4.89% for LQD. That is about $122 more a year on $10,000. Both pay monthly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, HYG returned 11.2% versus -8.0% for LQD, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $11,120 in HYG and $9,203 in LQD.
- Risk. LQD has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -24.5%, against -15.8% for HYG.
- Diversification. LQD holds 3,181 positions and HYG holds 1,334.
- Dividend growth. LQD grew its yearly payout 12.9% a year over the last 4 years, versus 7.1% for HYG.
Bottom line: LQD fits better if you care most about lower fees, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. HYG fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns.
Side-by-side snapshot
Trailing twelve-month figures where available. Higher yield is highlighted — not a buy recommendation.
| Metric | LQD iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 4.89% | 6.12% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $5.05 | $4.70 |
| Payout frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Last dividend | $0.4387 on Oct 6, 2026 | $0.3416 on Oct 6, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 1, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 12.9% over 4 yrs | 7.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $103.22 | $76.83 |
| Dividend growth streak | 4 years | — |
| Beta | 1.34 | 0.67 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -24.5% | -15.8% |
| Market cap | $28.79B | $17.19B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.49% |
| Assets under management | $28.78B | $16.20B |
| Number of holdings | 3181 | 1334 |
Income on a $10,000 investment
Illustrative only — assumes current TTM yield stays constant. Actual distributions change.
LQD
$40.76/mo
$489 /yr at 4.89% yield
HYG
$50.97/mo
$612 /yr at 6.12% yield
Dividend history
Total dividends paid per share in each calendar year. LQD pays monthly; HYG pays monthly.
| Year | LQD | HYG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4.9377 | $4.6075 |
| 2024 | $4.7508 | $4.7241 |
| 2023 | $4.4203 | $4.4446 |
| 2022 | $3.4793 | $3.9032 |
| 2021 | $3.0444 | $3.4982 |
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 $9,203 in LQD and $11,120 in HYG.
| Period | LQD | HYG |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -1.41% | -2.16% |
| 3 months | -4.03% | -3.54% |
| Year to date | -6.33% | -4.71% |
| 1 year | -7.61% | -4.08% |
| 3 years | 15.14% | 21.43% |
| 5 years | -7.97% | 11.20% |
- LQD
- HYG
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.
- LQD
- HYG
Quick verdict
LQD fits better if you care most about lower fees, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. HYG fits better if you care most about more income today, stronger 5-year returns and smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Still deciding? Compare them in your portfolio
Forecast dividend income, track payouts, and see how LQD vs HYG fits with the rest of your holdings. Free to start — no credit card required for the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is LQD or HYG better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. LQD currently yields 4.89% Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) while HYG yields 6.12%. 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 LQD and HYG?
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) is an ETF listed on AMEX. iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) 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, LQD or HYG?
LQD has the lower expense ratio. LQD charges 0.14% a year and HYG charges 0.49%, a difference of $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which has performed better, LQD or HYG?
Over the last 5 years, HYG has the higher total return with dividends reinvested: LQD returned -8.0% and HYG returned 11.2%. Past performance does not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, LQD or HYG?
Measured by the worst peak-to-trough decline over the last five years, LQD has been riskier: LQD fell as much as 24.5% and HYG as much as 15.8%. Their betas are 1.34 and 0.67.
How often do LQD and HYG pay dividends?
Both pay monthly. The most recent payments were $0.4387 for LQD and $0.3416 for HYG.
How much income does $10,000 in LQD vs HYG generate?
At current TTM yields, $10,000 in LQD would generate roughly $40.76 per month ($489 annually). The same amount in HYG would produce about $50.97 per month ($612 annually). Actual payouts vary with distribution changes and reinvestment.
Can I hold both LQD and HYG?
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 LQD vs HYG with my full portfolio?
Create a free Dividend Wealth account to import or enter holdings, forecast dividend income, and see how LQD and HYG 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.