HYG vs YLD
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF compared with Principal Active High Yield ETF on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
HYG
iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
YLD
Principal Active High Yield ETF
TTM yield · Monthly
Quick take
- YLD yields more today: 7.39% vs 5.99% (forward).
- Both pay every month.
- Over the last year YLD delivered the higher total return: +4.9% vs +3.7% (price change plus payouts).
- YLD is cheaper to own: 0.39% vs 0.49% expense ratio.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | HYG | YLD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $79.12 | $18.89 |
| TTM yield | 5.99% | 7.39% |
| Forward yield | 5.99% | 7.39% |
| Annual payout per share | $4.74 | $1.396 |
| Payment frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) | Oct 1, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.49% | 0.39% |
| 1-year payout growth | — | — |
| 5-year payout CAGR | — | — |
| Consecutive years of increases | — | — |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 94/100 |
| 1-year total return | +3.7% | +4.9% |
| 1-year price return | -2.2% | -2.3% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 16.2B | 606.0M |
| Years paying | 19.4 | 11.0 |
| Sector / category | High Yield Bond | High Yield Bond |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| HYG | YLD | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 126.4 | 529.4 |
| Income per year | $599 | $739 |
| Income per month (avg) | $50 | $62 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HYG Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $0.395 | Est. |
| HYG Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.395 | Est. |
| HYG Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.395 | Est. |
| YLD Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 | $0.1163 | Est. |
| YLD Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.1163 | Est. |
| YLD Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 14, 2026 | $0.1163 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
HYGYLD
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, HYG or YLD?
YLD currently has the higher trailing yield: HYG yields 5.99% and YLD yields 7.39%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do HYG and YLD pay?
HYG pays every month and YLD pays every month. HYG's next ex-date is Oct 1, 2026 and YLD's is Oct 1, 2026.
Is HYG or YLD better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. HYG and YLD differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.