A side-by-side comparison of First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) and NBI High Yield Bond ETF (NHYB) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | HYLS | NHYB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.83%✓ | -4.49% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.15%✓ | -0.29% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.79%✓ | +0.24% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.32%✓ | -0.14% |
| Current Price | $39.80 | $20.87 |
| AUM | $1.60B✓ | $1.51B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 1.05% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 6.63%✓ | 5.74% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | — |
| Inception Date | 2013-02-25 | 2020-03-04 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 9 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | High Yield Bonds | High Yield Bonds |
| Beta | 0.72 | 0.30 |
| 52-Week High | $41.23 | $21.34 |
| 52-Week Low | $38.32 | $20.57 |
| 50-Day MA | $39.95 | $21.12 |
| 200-Day MA | $40.72 | $21.51 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | HYLS | NHYB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.83%✓ | -4.49% |
| 1 Year | +1.00%✓ | +0.44% |
| 3 Year | +7.69%✓ | +7.10% |
| 5 Year | +2.83%✓ | +2.78% |
| 10 Year | +4.12% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 3.76% | 3.15% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.44 | 0.73 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | MISXX | Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio | 4.97% |
| 1 | T-Mobile US, Inc. | 1.33% | |
| 2 | CCO Holdings, LLC/ CCO Holdings Capital Corp. | 1.22% | |
| 3 | DISH DBS Corporation | 1.11% | |
| 4 | Tenet Healthcare Corporation | 1.08% | |
| 5 | T-Mobile USA, Inc. | 0.96% | |
| 6 | Sprint Capital Corporation | 0.90% | |
| 7 | Bausch Health Companies Inc | 0.87% | |
| 8 | HCA Inc. | 0.82% | |
| 9 | CSC Holdings, LLC | 0.75% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | HYLS | NHYB |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About HYLS
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in high yield debt securities that are rated below investment grade at the time of purchase or unrated securities deemed by the fund's advisor to be of comparable quality.
About NHYB
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both HYLS and NHYB are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, HYLS scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HYLS and NHYB?
HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) and NHYB (NBI High Yield Bond ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.60B vs $1.51B), dividend yield (6.63% vs 5.74%), and year-to-date performance (-0.83% vs -4.49%).
Is HYLS better than NHYB?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, HYLS has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy HYLS and NHYB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both HYLS and NHYB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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