HYG vs JNK: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) and State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, JNK returned +2.70% with dividends reinvested, compared with +2.35% for HYG. JNK currently yields 6.82% (trailing 12-month) against 6.05% for HYG. Across five years the total-return gap is +17.75% for HYG vs +17.04% for JNK.

JNK leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.

Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -15.79% for HYG and -16.68% for JNK. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

HYG's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.3416 to $0.435 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

JNK's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.4905 to $0.5601 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

Check each fund's maturity, credit exposure and interest-rate sensitivity in its issuer documents. Compare those differences with fees and the historical record instead of treating all bond or cash-oriented funds as interchangeable.

Review iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) payment history and State Street SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.