ESGN vs. HIGH

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ESGN (Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF) and HIGH (Simplify Enhanced Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGN is a Dividend fund tracking the MSCI Beta ADV Sust Intl Equity Income 100, while HIGH is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify. ESGN is passively managed, while HIGH is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ESGN returned 21.02%/yr vs 2.88%/yr for HIGH. Their 0.23 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ESGN charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for HIGH.

Performance

ESGN vs. HIGH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN) and Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGN achieves a 12.31% return, which is significantly higher than HIGH's 0.14% return.

ESGN

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 5.03%
• 6M: 6.69%
• YTD: 12.31%
• 1Y: 29.04%
• 3Y*: 21.02%
• 5Y*: 13.47%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 10.17%

HIGH

• 1D: 1.15%
• 1M: 0.70%
• 6M: 0.59%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 1Y: -0.12%
• 3Y*: 2.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.73%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	$574.94K	$759.83K	$688.70K
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	$241.27K	$246.12K	$538.64K

ESGN vs. HIGH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	12.31%	39.85%	6.02%	20.88%	11.55%
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	0.14%	4.35%	1.52%	7.70%	0.47%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGN and HIGH is 0.34, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.23

The correlation between ESGN and HIGH shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ESGN vs. HIGH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ESGN

ESGN Risk / Return Rank: 81
ESGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
ESGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
ESGN Omega Ratio Rank: 85
ESGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
ESGN Martin Ratio Rank: 74

HIGH

HIGH Risk / Return Rank: 10
HIGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
HIGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
HIGH Omega Ratio Rank: 10
HIGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
HIGH Martin Ratio Rank: 11

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ESGN vs. HIGH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN) and Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ESGN	HIGH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	-0.02	+2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	0.03	+2.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.00	+0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	-0.02	+3.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.84	-0.03	+9.87

ESGN vs. HIGH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGN Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the HIGH Sharpe Ratio of -0.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGN and HIGH, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

ESGN vs. HIGH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGN drawdown since its inception was -41.71%, which is greater than HIGH's maximum drawdown of -9.50%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGN and HIGH.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGN	HIGH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.71%	-9.50%	-32.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-7.08%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.38%	-9.50%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.51%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.71%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.42%	-6.63%	+6.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.00%	-2.59%	-4.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	4.47%	-1.51%

Volatility

ESGN vs. HIGH - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) at 2.43%. This indicates that ESGN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HIGH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGN	HIGH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	2.43%	+1.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.45%	4.03%	+7.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	7.31%	+6.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.34%	9.48%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.38%	9.48%	+6.90%

ESGN vs. HIGH - Expense Ratio Comparison

ESGN has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is lower than HIGH's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

ESGN vs. HIGH - Dividend Comparison

ESGN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.30%, more than HIGH's 6.81% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	9.30%	9.76%	3.11%	3.27%	3.57%	3.43%	2.64%	3.34%	7.25%	4.63%	2.52%
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	6.81%	7.71%	8.34%	9.40%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGN and HIGH in my portfolio?

ESGN and HIGH have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ESGN or HIGH?

ESGN has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to HIGH (2.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ESGN dropped -41.71% vs HIGH's -9.50%.

Which ETF is better, ESGN or HIGH?

On 3-year performance, ESGN leads with 21.02% vs 2.88% for HIGH. On fees, ESGN is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, HIGH has been the lower-risk option at 2.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ESGN or HIGH?

Over the 3-year period, ESGN has performed better with a 21.02% return vs 2.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ESGN or HIGH?

ESGN is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HIGH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ESGN or HIGH?

ESGN has the higher dividend yield at 9.30%, compared with 6.81% for HIGH.

What is the main difference between ESGN and HIGH?

ESGN is categorized as Dividend, while HIGH is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and Simplify. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for ESGN and 0.50% for HIGH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ESGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.02), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.