HYG vs VTI — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Total US Market — backtested 2007–2024
VTI wins$57,681 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 won5 of 18
VTITotal US Market
Final value$57,681
CAGR+10.2%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+34% (2013)
Years won13 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGVTI
HYG$22,983
VTI$57,681
50/50 mix$37,740
50/50 blend: $37,740 (+7.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and VTI would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than VTI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs VTI
| Year | HYG | VTI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +23.8% | VTI |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +26.1% | VTI |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -19.5% | HYG |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +25.7% | VTI |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +21.1% | VTI |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +30.7% | VTI |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -5.2% | HYG |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +21.2% | VTI |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +12.7% | HYG |
| 2015 | -5.0% | +0.4% | VTI |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +12.6% | VTI |
| 2013 | +5.8% | +33.5% | VTI |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +16.4% | VTI |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +1.1% | HYG |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +17.3% | VTI |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +28.8% | VTI |
| 2008 | -17.6% | -37.0% | HYG |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +5.5% | VTI |
More comparisons
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