HGRO vs. HECA

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HGRO (Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF) and HECA (Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HGRO is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Hedgeye, while HECA is a Global Allocation fund actively managed by Hedgeye. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HGRO returned 17.25% vs 12.07% for HECA. Their 0.51 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HGRO charges 0.70%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for HECA.

Performance

HGRO vs. HECA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) and Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF (HECA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HGRO achieves a 7.49% return, which is significantly higher than HECA's -0.78% return.

HGRO

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: -1.29%
• 6M: 3.85%
• YTD: 7.49%
• 1Y: 17.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.93%

HECA

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: 0.20%
• 6M: -4.74%
• YTD: -0.78%
• 1Y: 12.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 10.91%

*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)
HECA Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF	$1.58M	$1.84M	$3.67M
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	$1.36M	$1.39M	$1.92M

HGRO vs. HECA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	7.49%	8.54%
HECA Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF	-0.78%	12.83%

Correlation

The correlation between HGRO and HECA 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 1, 2025	0.51

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

Return for Risk

HGRO vs. HECA — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGRO

HGRO Risk / Return Rank: 48
HGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
HGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
HGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
HGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

HECA

HECA Risk / Return Rank: 33
HECA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
HECA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
HECA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
HECA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
HECA Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

HGRO vs. HECA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) and Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF (HECA). 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.

	HGRO	HECA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	0.98	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	1.43	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.18	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	0.95	+1.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.60	1.84	+4.77

HGRO vs. HECA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGRO Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is comparable to the HECA Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGRO and HECA, 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

HGRO vs. HECA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGRO drawdown since its inception was -7.61%, smaller than the maximum HECA drawdown of -12.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGRO and HECA.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGRO	HECA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.61%	-12.82%	+5.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	-12.82%	+5.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-10.99%	+7.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-4.40%	+2.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	6.58%	-3.96%

Volatility

HGRO vs. HECA - Volatility Comparison

Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) has a higher volatility of 4.10% compared to Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF (HECA) at 1.60%. This indicates that HGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HECA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HGRO	HECA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	1.60%	+2.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	8.05%	+2.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	12.42%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.69%	12.03%	+1.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.69%	12.03%	+1.66%

HGRO vs. HECA - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGRO has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is lower than HECA's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

HGRO vs. HECA - Dividend Comparison

HGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, less than HECA's 2.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
HECA Hedgeye Capital Allocation ETF	2.03%	2.02%
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	0.07%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGRO and HECA in my portfolio?

HGRO and HECA 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, HGRO or HECA?

HGRO has higher volatility (4.10%) compared to HECA (1.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGRO dropped -7.61% vs HECA's -12.82%.

Which ETF is better, HGRO or HECA?

On 1-year performance, HGRO leads with 17.25% vs 12.07% for HECA. On fees, HGRO is cheaper at 0.70% per year. On volatility, HECA has been the lower-risk option at 1.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HGRO or HECA?

Over the 1-year period, HGRO has performed better with a 17.25% return vs 12.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HGRO or HECA?

HGRO is cheaper with a 0.70% expense ratio, compared with 1.02% for HECA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HGRO or HECA?

HECA has the higher dividend yield at 2.03%, compared with 0.07% for HGRO.

What is the main difference between HGRO and HECA?

HGRO is categorized as Quality Factor, while HECA is Global Allocation. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for HGRO and 1.02% for HECA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.24 vs 0.98), 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.