HEQT vs. CDX

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) and Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX).

HEQT and CDX are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. HEQT is an actively managed fund by Simplify. It was launched on Nov 1, 2021. CDX is an actively managed fund by Simplify. It was launched on Feb 14, 2022.

Performance

HEQT vs. CDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) and Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

HEQT vs. CDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	-1.81%	10.08%	18.30%	16.61%	-3.96%
CDX Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF	-1.78%	9.51%	7.71%	12.74%	-8.12%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with HEQT having a -1.81% return and CDX slightly higher at -1.78%.

HEQT

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: -3.20%
• YTD: -1.81%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 11.06%
• 3Y*: 12.38%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

CDX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -1.42%
• YTD: -1.78%
• 6M: -2.26%
• 1Y: 0.75%
• 3Y*: 7.88%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HEQT vs. CDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HEQT has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than CDX's 0.26% expense ratio.

HEQT

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF

CDX

Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF

Return for Risk

HEQT vs. CDX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HEQT

HEQT Risk / Return Rank: 75
HEQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
HEQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
HEQT Omega Ratio Rank: 75
HEQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
HEQT Martin Ratio Rank: 80

CDX

CDX Risk / Return Rank: 13
CDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
CDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
CDX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
CDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
CDX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

HEQT vs. CDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) and Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX). 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.

	HEQT	CDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	0.05	+1.27
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.90	0.19	+1.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.04	+0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	0.13	+2.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.20	0.21	+8.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HEQT vs. CDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HEQT Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is higher than the CDX Sharpe Ratio of 0.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HEQT and CDX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HEQT	CDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.31	0.05	+1.27
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.92	0.40	+0.52

Correlation

The correlation between HEQT and CDX is 0.41, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

HEQT vs. CDX - Dividend Comparison

HEQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.28%, less than CDX's 8.40% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HEQT Simplify Hedged Equity ETF	1.28%	1.19%	1.29%	4.10%	3.94%	0.27%
CDX Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF	8.40%	7.18%	12.60%	5.26%	7.51%	0.00%

Drawdowns

HEQT vs. CDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HEQT drawdown since its inception was -11.51%, smaller than the maximum CDX drawdown of -13.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEQT and CDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HEQT	CDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-11.51%	-13.24%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.22%	-8.88%	+3.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.58%	-6.78%	+3.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.88%	-4.24%	+1.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.22%	5.48%	-4.26%

Volatility

HEQT vs. CDX - Volatility Comparison

Simplify Hedged Equity ETF (HEQT) has a higher volatility of 3.50% compared to Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX) at 3.10%. This indicates that HEQT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HEQT	CDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.50%	3.10%	+0.40%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.60%	4.15%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.45%	16.10%	-7.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.57%	11.24%	-2.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.57%	11.24%	-2.67%