HGLB vs. HFRO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HGLB (Highland Global Allocation Fund) and HFRO (Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund) are both mutual funds - HGLB is a Global Allocation fund managed by Highland Funds, while HFRO is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Highland Funds. Over the past 5 years, HGLB returned 8.64%/yr vs -3.18%/yr for HFRO. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HGLB charges 0.02%/yr vs 0.02%/yr for HFRO.

Performance

HGLB vs. HFRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) and Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HGLB achieves a -9.04% return, which is significantly lower than HFRO's 14.58% return.

HGLB

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -2.42%
• YTD: -9.04%
• 6M: -13.92%
• 1Y: 2.49%
• 3Y*: 10.57%
• 5Y*: 8.64%
• 10Y*: —

HFRO

• 1D: -1.34%
• 1M: 8.46%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 6M: 13.05%
• 1Y: 39.54%
• 3Y*: -1.98%
• 5Y*: -3.18%
• 10Y*: —

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

HGLB vs. HFRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HGLB Highland Global Allocation Fund	-9.04%	51.74%	-1.52%	-6.15%	14.53%	53.22%	-17.98%	-31.46%
HFRO Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund	14.58%	25.08%	-27.17%	-16.97%	1.71%	16.33%	-8.42%	-3.17%

Correlation

The correlation between HGLB and HFRO is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2019	0.32

Return for Risk

HGLB vs. HFRO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGLB

HGLB Risk / Return Rank: 3
HGLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
HGLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
HGLB Omega Ratio Rank: 3
HGLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
HGLB Martin Ratio Rank: 3

HFRO

HFRO Risk / Return Rank: 39
HFRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
HFRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
HFRO Omega Ratio Rank: 44
HFRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
HFRO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

HGLB vs. HFRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) and Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO). 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.

	HGLB	HFRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.12	1.93	-1.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.33	2.62	-2.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.36	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.11	2.52	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.23	6.11	-5.88
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HGLB vs. HFRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGLB Sharpe Ratio is 0.12, which is lower than the HFRO Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGLB and HFRO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HGLB	HFRO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12	1.93	-1.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	-0.13	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.12	-0.07	+0.19

Drawdowns

HGLB vs. HFRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGLB drawdown since its inception was -70.40%, which is greater than HFRO's maximum drawdown of -52.79%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGLB and HFRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGLB	HFRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.40%	-52.79%	-17.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.34%	-15.74%	-7.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.34%	-43.68%	+20.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.88%	-52.79%	+22.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-19.07%	-23.06%	+3.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.19%	-20.68%	+2.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.10%	6.49%	+4.61%

Volatility

HGLB vs. HFRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Highland Global Allocation Fund (HGLB) is 4.97%, while Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund (HFRO) has a volatility of 6.28%. This indicates that HGLB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HFRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HGLB	HFRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.97%	6.28%	-1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.21%	14.54%	-1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.14%	20.63%	+0.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.07%	23.78%	-1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.68%	22.50%	+5.18%

HGLB vs. HFRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGLB has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than HFRO's 0.02% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HGLB vs. HFRO - Dividend Comparison

HGLB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.18%, more than HFRO's 6.96% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HFRO Highland Funds I - Highland Opportunities and Income Fund	6.96%	7.73%	8.90%	12.02%	8.97%	8.41%	8.99%	7.43%	7.22%	0.99%
HGLB Highland Global Allocation Fund	13.18%	11.57%	14.27%	12.82%	10.32%	9.39%	15.44%	11.35%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGLB and HFRO in my portfolio?

HGLB and HFRO have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HGLB or HFRO?

HFRO has higher volatility (6.28%) compared to HGLB (4.97%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGLB dropped -70.40% vs HFRO's -52.79%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.12), 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.