HGRO vs. HELS

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HGRO (Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF) and HELS (Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HGRO is a Quality Factor fund actively managed by Hedgeye, while HELS is a Long-Short fund actively managed by Hedgeye. Both are actively managed. Their 0.66 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. Both charge a 0.70% expense ratio.

Performance

HGRO vs. HELS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) and Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF (HELS). 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 HELS's -1.81% return.

HGRO

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

HELS

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: -2.48%
• 6M: -6.83%
• YTD: -1.81%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

*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)
HELS Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF	$172.57K	$162.00K	$313.89K
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	$1.36M	$1.39M	$1.92M

HGRO vs. HELS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	7.49%	-1.19%
HELS Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF	-1.81%	-2.37%

Correlation

The correlation between HGRO and HELS is 0.66, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2025	0.66

Return for Risk

HGRO vs. HELS — 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

HELS

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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. HELS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF (HGRO) and Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF (HELS). 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	HELS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.72	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.60	—	—

Drawdowns

HGRO vs. HELS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGRO drawdown since its inception was -7.61%, smaller than the maximum HELS drawdown of -13.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGRO and HELS.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGRO	HELS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.61%	-13.60%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.61%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-8.00%	+4.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.65%	-5.82%	+4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.62%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	HGRO	HELS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.10%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.76%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.04%	15.55%	-1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.69%	15.55%	-1.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.69%	15.55%	-1.86%

HGRO vs. HELS - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HGRO and HELS have an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Dividends

HGRO vs. HELS - Dividend Comparison

HGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.07%, more than HELS's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
HELS Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF	0.02%	0.02%
HGRO Hedgeye Quality Growth ETF	0.07%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGRO and HELS in my portfolio?

HGRO and HELS have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HGRO or HELS?

Both ETFs have the same 0.70% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HGRO or HELS?

HGRO and HELS have the same expense ratio: 0.70% per year.

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

HGRO has the higher dividend yield at 0.07%, compared with 0.02% for HELS.

What is the main difference between HGRO and HELS?

HGRO is categorized as Quality Factor, while HELS is Long-Short.