FEPI vs. HYGW

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

FEPI (REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF) and HYGW (iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. FEPI is actively managed, while HYGW is passively managed. Over the past year, FEPI returned 13.96% vs 6.23% for HYGW. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. FEPI charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for HYGW.

Performance

FEPI vs. HYGW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF (FEPI) and iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FEPI achieves a 1.10% return, which is significantly lower than HYGW's 2.68% return.

FEPI

• 1D: 1.33%
• 1M: -1.93%
• 6M: 2.65%
• YTD: 1.10%
• 1Y: 13.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.78%

HYGW

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.35%
• 6M: 2.13%
• YTD: 2.68%
• 1Y: 6.23%
• 3Y*: 5.49%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.75%

*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)
FEPI REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF	$8.05M	$8.48M	$9.46M
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	$507.28K	$613.90K	$793.25K

FEPI vs. HYGW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
FEPI REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF	1.10%	18.33%	15.69%	11.75%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	2.68%	6.19%	6.99%	1.65%

Correlation

The correlation between FEPI and HYGW is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2023	0.47

The correlation between FEPI and HYGW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FEPI vs. HYGW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FEPI

FEPI Risk / Return Rank: 30
FEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
FEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
FEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
FEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 31

HYGW

HYGW Risk / Return Rank: 89
HYGW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
HYGW Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
HYGW Omega Ratio Rank: 91
HYGW Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
HYGW Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

FEPI vs. HYGW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF (FEPI) and iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW). 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.

	FEPI	HYGW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	2.13	-1.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.10	3.10	-2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.44	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.94	3.44	-2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.79	15.37	-12.58

FEPI vs. HYGW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FEPI Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the HYGW Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FEPI and HYGW, 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

FEPI vs. HYGW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FEPI drawdown since its inception was -23.56%, which is greater than HYGW's maximum drawdown of -5.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FEPI and HYGW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FEPI	HYGW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.56%	-5.49%	-18.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.96%	-1.82%	-13.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.77%	0.00%	-9.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.74%	-0.59%	-3.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.02%	0.41%	+4.61%

Volatility

FEPI vs. HYGW - Volatility Comparison

REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF (FEPI) has a higher volatility of 7.76% compared to iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW) at 0.86%. This indicates that FEPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYGW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FEPI	HYGW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.76%	0.86%	+6.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.78%	2.34%	+13.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.43%	2.94%	+16.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.58%	4.62%	+14.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.58%	4.62%	+14.96%

FEPI vs. HYGW - Expense Ratio Comparison

FEPI has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is lower than HYGW's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

FEPI vs. HYGW - Dividend Comparison

FEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 26.43%, more than HYGW's 10.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
FEPI REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF	26.43%	25.48%	27.18%	4.21%	0.00%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	10.67%	12.53%	12.30%	15.98%	8.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FEPI and HYGW in my portfolio?

FEPI and HYGW have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FEPI or HYGW?

FEPI has higher volatility (7.76%) compared to HYGW (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FEPI dropped -23.56% vs HYGW's -5.49%.

Which ETF is better, FEPI or HYGW?

On 1-year performance, FEPI leads with 13.96% vs 6.23% for HYGW. On fees, FEPI is cheaper at 0.65% per year. On volatility, HYGW has been the lower-risk option at 0.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FEPI or HYGW?

Over the 1-year period, FEPI has performed better with a 13.96% return vs 6.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FEPI or HYGW?

FEPI is cheaper with a 0.65% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for HYGW.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FEPI or HYGW?

FEPI has the higher dividend yield at 26.43%, compared with 10.67% for HYGW.

What is the main difference between FEPI and HYGW?

They also come from different issuers: REX and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for FEPI and 0.69% for HYGW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYGW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.72), 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.