HYG vs GLD — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Gold — backtested 2007–2024
GLD wins$38,339 vs $22,983 on $10,000 over 18 years
HYGHigh Yield Bonds
Final value$22,983
CAGR+4.7%
Max drawdown-17.5%
Best year+29% (2009)
Years won7 of 18
GLDGold
Final value$38,339
CAGR+7.8%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won11 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGGLD
HYG$22,983
GLD$38,339
50/50 mix$31,143
50/50 blend: $31,143 (+6.5%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and GLD would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than GLD but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs GLD
| Year | HYG | GLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +26.7% | GLD |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +12.7% | GLD |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -0.8% | GLD |
| 2021 | +3.8% | -4.2% | HYG |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +24.8% | GLD |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +17.9% | GLD |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -1.9% | GLD |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +12.8% | GLD |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +8.0% | HYG |
| 2015 | -5.0% | -10.7% | HYG |
| 2014 | +1.9% | -2.2% | HYG |
| 2013 | +5.8% | -28.3% | HYG |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +6.6% | HYG |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +9.6% | GLD |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +29.3% | GLD |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +24.0% | HYG |
| 2008 | -17.6% | +5.0% | GLD |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +30.6% | GLD |
More comparisons
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