AB High Yield ETF (HYFI) Performance
HYFI total return
Distributions reinvested · as of Oct 23, 2026- YTD
- +0.2% since Dec 31, 2025
- 1 year
- +1.4% total return
- 3 years
- +8.8% a year
- Since first price
- +7.5% a year since 2023
HYFI trailing returns vs SPY, QQQ, AGG
| Period | HYFI total return | Price only | S&P 500 (SPY) | Nasdaq-100 (QQQ) | U.S. bonds (AGG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −1.0% | −1.5% | −1.0% | −5.0% | +0.9% |
| 3 months | −1.4% | −3.0% | +3.2% | +1.9% | −0.4% |
| 6 months | −1.2% | −4.3% | +7.8% | +8.4% | −1.5% |
| YTD | +0.2% | −4.5% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 1 year | +1.4% | −5.0% | +14.4% | +15.9% | −1.1% |
| 3 years | +28.7%+8.8%/yr | +5.4% | +87.4%+23.3%/yr | +101.4%+26.3%/yr | +16.6%+5.2%/yr |
| Since inceptionMay 15, 2023 | +28.1%+7.5%/yr | +2.3% | — | — | — |
Total return from adjusted closes (distributions reinvested, before tax). Periods of 3 years or more are also shown annualized. Price only excludes distributions.
Growth of $10,000: HYFI vs SPY
From May 15, 2023: HYFI grew to $12,811, SPY to $19,218.
Year-end values with distributions reinvested, no taxes or trading costs. Start: first common trading day of both funds.
HYFI returns by calendar year
2 of 2 full years positive. Best 2025 (+8.9%), worst 2024 (+8.0%). 2026 is year to date.
HYFI annual returns table
| Year | HYFI | Largest drop | SPY | QQQ | AGG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | +0.2% | −2.8% | +12.3% | +15.1% | −1.0% |
| 2025 | +8.9% | −6.3% | +17.7% | +20.8% | +7.2% |
| 2024 | +8.0% | −2.1% | +24.9% | +25.6% | +1.3% |
Largest drop = deepest fall from a high within that calendar year.
Calendar-year return vs largest drop within the year
Most years include a sizable fall at some point even when the year ends higher.
HYFI risk statistics
| Statistic | 3 years | Since 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Annualized return | +8.4% | +8.1% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.7% | 4.6% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.84 | 0.76 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.58 | 1.39 |
| Best month | +4.8% | +4.8% |
| Worst month | −1.9% | −1.9% |
| Best 12 months | +16.2% | +16.2% |
| Worst 12 months | +2.1% | +2.1% |
| Positive months | 72% | 72% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.28 | — |
| Correlation with S&P 500 | 0.75 | — |
From monthly total returns. Sharpe and Sortino use 1–3 month T-bills (BIL) as the risk-free rate, so they need history from 2007 on.
HYFI rolling returns
| Holding period | Periods | Worst | Median | Best | Positive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year | 30 | +1.5% | +8.6% | +16.2% | 100% |
| 3-year (a year) | 6 | +8.3% | +8.6% | +9.5% | 100% |
Every holding period starting at a month-end since 2023. Returns for 3 years and longer are annualized.
HYFI performance overview
AB High Yield ETF (HYFI) returned +1.4% over the past year, with distributions reinvested. Since its first recorded price in 2023 it has returned +7.5% a year, turning $10,000 into about $12,811. Over the same year S&P 500 (SPY) returned +14.4%.
Related: HYFI chart, HYFI dividends. See the HYFI overview for the latest quote and fund facts.
HYFI performance FAQ
What is the HYFI return over the past year?
HYFI returned +1.4% over the 12 months to October 23, 2026, including reinvested distributions. On price alone it fell 5.0%.
How much would $10,000 invested in HYFI be worth?
$10,000 invested in HYFI at its first recorded close on May 15, 2023 would be worth about $12,811 on October 23, 2026 with distributions reinvested.
What was the worst year for HYFI?
The worst calendar year was 2024, with a total return of +8.0%. The best was 2025 at +8.9%.
How volatile is HYFI?
Over the past 3 years HYFI had an annualized volatility of 4.7% and a Sharpe ratio of 0.84 (excess return over 1–3 month T-bills per unit of risk).