Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

HYLB

Market cap $3.84B

Headline yields in high-yield bond ETFs can be misleading; CCC-rated bond exposure is the key driver of credit risk and potential return drag. Chasing the highest yield often backfires—risk-adjusted returns, not just headline yields, provide a clearer picture of long-term performance. Active ETFs typically have lower CCC exposure and higher risk-adjusted returns than passive ETFs, despite slightly higher expense ratios.

HYLB offers broad junk bond exposure with a 6%+ yield and a very low expense ratio. Despite slightly outperforming HYG, HYLB's share price and distributions have declined, especially after adjusting for inflation. For high-yield bond exposure, I prefer HYDB for better risk-adjusted returns or a fallen angels ETF for total return.

DWS has operated in the ETF space via its Xtrackers family of funds in the US for nearly 20 years. It has flown under the radar compared to the largest ETF issuers.

HYLB tracks the Solactive USD High Yield Corporates Total Market Index, reflecting U.S. high-yield corporate bonds. It is well-diversified with 1,200 holdings, mainly BB-rated, but exposed to economic shifts and higher default risks due to meaningful cyclical sector exposure. Current market conditions are discouraging when it comes to junk bond exposure.

The 'Undercovered' Dozen series highlights lesser-covered ETFs, offering insights from various authors on potential investment opportunities and market trends. Global X Uranium ETF is seen as well-placed for a uranium bull market, driven by increasing demand for nuclear energy from major tech companies. iShares MSCI India ETF offers exposure to India's fast-growing economy, presenting perhaps a strong investment opportunity despite recent pullbacks due to shifts towards the Chinese market.

Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF is a broad market fund in high-yield bonds with a 6% yield. HYLB's portfolio is diversified across sectors, with a focus on consumer discretionary and communication services. Since its inception, HYLB has marginally outperformed its competitors HYG and JNK, and has a lower fee.

The U.S. high yield bond ETF category has a new asset leader. The iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (USHY) is now the largest high yield bond ETF in the market, with assets totaling $15.9 billion as of Aug.15.

High-yield corporate bonds are generating strong returns this year, helped by higher interest rates by the Federal Reserve. Most of these ETFs are yielding over 6%, higher than short-term government bonds and dividends.

HYLB is one of the cheapest high-yield bond ETFs in the market, with a 0.05% expense ratio. It offers investors an average 5.9% yield, and average total returns. HYLB seems strictly inferior to SPHY, with several disadvantages, but no clear edge.

After a year when advisors were relatively cautious about taking on credit risk, sentiment seems to be shifting. In 2023, the most popular fixed income ETF was the iShares 20+ Year Treasury ETF (TLT).