HYG vs TLT — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Long-Term Treasuries — backtested 2007–2024
HYG wins$22,983 vs $17,036 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 won9 of 18
TLTLong-Term Treasuries
Final value$17,036
CAGR+3.0%
Max drawdown-38.0%
Best year+34% (2011)
Years won9 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGTLT
HYG$22,983
TLT$17,036
50/50 mix$21,782
50/50 blend: $21,782 (+4.4%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and TLT would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than HYG but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs TLT
| Year | HYG | TLT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | -8.1% | HYG |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +2.8% | HYG |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -31.2% | HYG |
| 2021 | +3.8% | -4.6% | HYG |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +18.1% | TLT |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +14.1% | TLT |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -1.6% | TLT |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +9.2% | TLT |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +1.2% | HYG |
| 2015 | -5.0% | -1.8% | TLT |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +27.3% | TLT |
| 2013 | +5.8% | -13.4% | HYG |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +2.6% | HYG |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +34.0% | TLT |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +9.1% | HYG |
| 2009 | +28.5% | -21.8% | HYG |
| 2008 | -17.6% | +33.9% | TLT |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +10.3% | TLT |
More comparisons
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