HYG vs VNQ — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Real Estate (REIT) — backtested 2007–2024
VNQ wins$24,535 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 won9 of 18
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$24,535
CAGR+5.1%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won9 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGVNQ
HYG$22,983
VNQ$24,535
50/50 mix$24,821
50/50 blend: $24,821 (+5.2%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and VNQ would have outperformed both individually — diversification smoothed the ride. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs VNQ
| Year | HYG | VNQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +4.8% | HYG |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +11.8% | VNQ |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -26.2% | HYG |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +40.5% | VNQ |
| 2020 | +4.5% | -4.7% | HYG |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +28.9% | VNQ |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -6.0% | HYG |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +4.9% | HYG |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +8.6% | HYG |
| 2015 | -5.0% | +2.4% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +30.4% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +5.8% | +2.3% | HYG |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +17.6% | VNQ |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +8.6% | VNQ |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +28.4% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +30.1% | VNQ |
| 2008 | -17.6% | -37.0% | HYG |
| 2007 | +1.6% | -16.3% | HYG |
More comparisons
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