Schwab High Yield Bond ETF

SCYB

Market cap $2.08B

Many advisors and investors are contemplating or actively adjusting their portfolios for the new year. That's why the insights gathered from attendees at last week's VettaFi 2026 Market Outlook Symposium were so compelling.

Schwab High Yield Bond ETF is the cheapest high-yield bond ETF in the market, with a 0.03% expense ratio. It yields 7.0% and has outperformed most other types of bonds since inception. It is a fantastic fund, but high-yield bonds are looking expensive right now.

Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB) offers highly diversified, low-cost exposure to high-yield corporate debt with a compelling 0.03% expense ratio. SCYB's portfolio minimizes idiosyncratic risk, holding over 1,800 positions with no single issuer above 0.40% weight, and focuses on BB/B-rated bonds. Current macro conditions—resilient economy, contained spreads, and supportive liquidity—favor holding SCYB for carry over a 3–6 month horizon.

Generating a regular stream of income is a key component of any retirement planning playbook.

Schwab High Yield Bond ETF offers diversified, low-cost exposure to high-yield U.S. corporate bonds, yielding 6.97% with a 3bps expense ratio. SCYB's portfolio is weighted toward BB-rated, short-dated bonds, positioning it to benefit from anticipated Fed rate cuts through 2025-2026. Tighter spreads and economic uncertainties pose risks, but SCYB's performance and cost advantage make it attractive relative to peer ETFs.

If you're someone who doesn't like to research individual stocks to generate long-term returns, exchange-traded funds can be your ideal choice.

Launched in 2023, the Schwab High Yield Bond ETF offers a highly competitive expense ratio of 0.03%, significantly lower than its peers like JNK and HYG, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious investors. SCYB aims to track the ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Constrained Index and has, since its IPO, shown a total return profile nearly identical to its competitors. SCYB's portfolio is overweight in BB-rated bonds (45%) and has a relatively short duration of 3 years.

High-yield corporate bond ETFs provide investors with strong yields, albeit somewhat elevated credit risk. There are lots of high-yield bond ETFs available to investors. Some with higher yields, some with better performance track-records, some focusing on more niche areas of the market. A quick overview of five of these follows. ETFs include simple, cheap vanilla ETFs, smart beta ETFs, and those targeting niche, best-performing bonds.

Passive cash flow makes it easier for investors to cover their living expenses without selling their shares.

Inflation post-Covid has driven demand for high-yield investments like the Schwab High Yield Bond ETF (SCYB), which boasts a 7.88% yield and low expense ratio. SCYB's balanced duration profile and strong performance have attracted over $1 billion in assets, despite ongoing macroeconomic concerns and interest rate uncertainties. The fund's portfolio includes a significant portion of BB and B-rated bonds, raising concerns about the risk-reward balance given current tight credit spreads.