GIAX vs. HYGW

Last updated Aug 6, 2026

GIAX (Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF) and HYGW (iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. GIAX is actively managed, while HYGW is passively managed. Over the past year, GIAX returned 15.46% vs 6.26% for HYGW. Their 0.50 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. GIAX charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for HYGW.

Performance

GIAX vs. HYGW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF (GIAX) 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, GIAX achieves a 12.25% return, which is significantly higher than HYGW's 2.85% return.

GIAX

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: -2.34%
• 6M: 15.96%
• YTD: 12.25%
• 1Y: 15.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.52%

HYGW

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.37%
• 6M: 2.44%
• YTD: 2.85%
• 1Y: 6.26%
• 3Y*: 5.55%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.78%

*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)
GIAX Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF	$1.39M	$1.89M	$1.97M
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	$537.93K	$611.73K	$789.35K

GIAX vs. HYGW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
GIAX Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF	12.25%	11.73%	2.94%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	2.85%	6.19%	2.25%

Correlation

The correlation between GIAX and HYGW is 0.51, 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.	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2024	0.50

The correlation between GIAX and HYGW has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

GIAX vs. HYGW — Risk / Return Rank

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

GIAX

GIAX Risk / Return Rank: 24
GIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
GIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
GIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
GIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
GIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 28

HYGW

HYGW Risk / Return Rank: 86
HYGW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HYGW Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
HYGW Omega Ratio Rank: 89
HYGW Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
HYGW Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

GIAX vs. HYGW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF (GIAX) 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.

	GIAX	HYGW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.61	2.14	-1.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	3.11	-2.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.44	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.79	3.46	-2.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.57	15.43	-12.86

GIAX vs. HYGW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GIAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.61, which is lower than the HYGW Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GIAX 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

GIAX vs. HYGW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GIAX drawdown since its inception was -20.38%, which is greater than HYGW's maximum drawdown of -5.49%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GIAX and HYGW.

Drawdown Indicators

	GIAX	HYGW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.38%	-5.49%	-14.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.64%	-1.82%	-17.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-3.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.73%	-0.09%	-10.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.58%	-0.59%	-2.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.02%	0.41%	+5.61%

Volatility

GIAX vs. HYGW - Volatility Comparison

Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF (GIAX) has a higher volatility of 9.77% compared to iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (HYGW) at 0.88%. This indicates that GIAX'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

	GIAX	HYGW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.77%	0.88%	+8.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.77%	2.35%	+20.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.55%	2.94%	+22.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.73%	4.61%	+18.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.73%	4.61%	+18.12%

GIAX vs. HYGW - Expense Ratio Comparison

GIAX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than HYGW's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

GIAX vs. HYGW - Dividend Comparison

GIAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 25.17%, more than HYGW's 10.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
GIAX Nicholas Global Equity and Income ETF	25.17%	25.62%	10.58%	0.00%	0.00%
HYGW iShares High Yield Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	10.36%	12.53%	12.30%	15.98%	8.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GIAX and HYGW in my portfolio?

GIAX and HYGW have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GIAX or HYGW?

GIAX has higher volatility (9.77%) compared to HYGW (0.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GIAX dropped -20.38% vs HYGW's -5.49%.

Which ETF is better, GIAX or HYGW?

On 1-year performance, GIAX leads with 15.46% vs 6.26% for HYGW. On fees, HYGW is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, HYGW has been the lower-risk option at 0.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GIAX or HYGW?

Over the 1-year period, GIAX has performed better with a 15.46% return vs 6.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GIAX or HYGW?

HYGW is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 1.03% for GIAX.

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

GIAX has the higher dividend yield at 25.17%, compared with 10.36% for HYGW.

What is the main difference between GIAX and HYGW?

They also come from different issuers: Nicholas and iShares. Their fees differ too: 1.03% for GIAX and 0.69% for HYGW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HYGW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 0.61), 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.