Keep The Junk Bonds, Lower Rate Risk With This ETF

Related: ETF Investors Turn Risk-Off, Fleeing Toward Fixed-Income

Examining HYHG

HYHG has a net effective duration of -0.28 years, but that significantly reduced rate risk does not reduce the fund’s income profile as highlighted by a 30-day SEC yield of 6.27%. At the end of the first quarter, HYHG held 156 bonds from 115 issuers. No more than two bonds from each issuer are allowed in the fund.

Due to their greater risk profile, high-yield bonds have been more correlated with major U.S. equity indices, which have experienced wider oscillations in recent months.

The bulk of HYHG’s holdings are rated between BB+ and B-, but the ETF does have some exposure to speculative CCC-rated debt. Year-to-date, the ETF has seen $32.51 million in inflows.

HYHG is off about 0.30% percent this year while the largest junk bond ETF, which does not hedge rate risk, is lower by nearly 2%.

For more information on corporate debt, visit our corporate bonds category.