HAIL vs. AKAF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HAIL (SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF) and AKAF (The Frontier Economic Fund) are both Global Equities funds - HAIL tracks the S&P Kensho Smart Transportation Index while AKAF tracks the Alaska Last Frontier Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, HAIL returned 24.40% vs 30.17% for AKAF. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HAIL charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for AKAF.

Performance

HAIL vs. AKAF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) and The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with HAIL having a 11.97% return and AKAF slightly higher at 12.00%.

HAIL

• 1D: 1.90%
• 1M: -3.51%
• 6M: 7.47%
• YTD: 11.97%
• 1Y: 24.40%
• 3Y*: 2.93%
• 5Y*: -6.32%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 4.40%

AKAF

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 1.80%
• 6M: 3.92%
• YTD: 12.00%
• 1Y: 30.17%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 27.93%

*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)
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	$580.97	$1.19K	$1.57K
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	$27.63K	$158.03K	$150.74K

HAIL vs. AKAF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	11.97%	13.64%
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	12.00%	17.17%

Correlation

The correlation between HAIL and AKAF is 0.67, 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.	0.67
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 26, 2025	0.67

The correlation between HAIL and AKAF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HAIL vs. AKAF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HAIL

HAIL Risk / Return Rank: 31
HAIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
HAIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
HAIL Omega Ratio Rank: 30
HAIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
HAIL Martin Ratio Rank: 31

AKAF

AKAF Risk / Return Rank: 80
AKAF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
AKAF Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
AKAF Omega Ratio Rank: 81
AKAF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
AKAF Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

HAIL vs. AKAF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) and The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF). 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.

	HAIL	AKAF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	2.05	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.22	2.83	-1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.37	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	3.25	-2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.90	11.00	-8.10

HAIL vs. AKAF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HAIL Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the AKAF Sharpe Ratio of 2.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HAIL and AKAF, 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

HAIL vs. AKAF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HAIL drawdown since its inception was -65.98%, which is greater than AKAF's maximum drawdown of -9.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HAIL and AKAF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HAIL	AKAF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-65.98%	-9.32%	-56.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.80%	-9.32%	-11.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-37.18%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.01%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.94%	-1.35%	-39.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.73%	-1.82%	-29.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.43%	2.75%	+5.68%

Volatility

HAIL vs. AKAF - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF (HAIL) has a higher volatility of 9.36% compared to The Frontier Economic Fund (AKAF) at 2.96%. This indicates that HAIL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AKAF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HAIL	AKAF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.36%	2.96%	+6.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.47%	11.29%	+14.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	32.00%	14.84%	+17.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	32.33%	14.57%	+17.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.88%	14.57%	+17.31%

HAIL vs. AKAF - Expense Ratio Comparison

HAIL has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than AKAF's 0.20% expense ratio.

Dividends

HAIL vs. AKAF - Dividend Comparison

HAIL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.71%, less than AKAF's 2.94% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
AKAF The Frontier Economic Fund	2.94%	2.25%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HAIL SPDR S&P Kensho Smart Mobility ETF	1.71%	2.00%	2.98%	2.62%	2.09%	1.36%	0.52%	1.17%	2.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HAIL and AKAF in my portfolio?

HAIL and AKAF have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HAIL or AKAF?

HAIL has higher volatility (9.36%) compared to AKAF (2.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HAIL dropped -65.98% vs AKAF's -9.32%.

Which ETF is better, HAIL or AKAF?

On 1-year performance, AKAF leads with 30.17% vs 24.40% for HAIL. On fees, AKAF is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, AKAF has been the lower-risk option at 2.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HAIL or AKAF?

Over the 1-year period, AKAF has performed better with a 30.17% return vs 24.40%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HAIL or AKAF?

AKAF is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for HAIL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HAIL or AKAF?

AKAF has the higher dividend yield at 2.94%, compared with 1.71% for HAIL.

What is the main difference between HAIL and AKAF?

HAIL tracks S&P Kensho Smart Transportation Index, while AKAF tracks Alaska Last Frontier Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vident. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for HAIL and 0.20% for AKAF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AKAF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.77), 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.