HIGH vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HIGH (Simplify Enhanced Income ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HIGH is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Simplify, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. HIGH is actively managed, while SPY is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HIGH returned 2.72%/yr vs 20.68%/yr for SPY. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIGH charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

HIGH vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIGH achieves a -0.79% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 8.15% return.

HIGH

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: -0.79%
• 6M: -1.67%
• 1Y: -1.43%
• 3Y*: 2.72%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: -1.36%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 6M: 7.20%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 20.68%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.53%

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

HIGH vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	-0.79%	4.35%	1.52%	7.70%	0.47%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	8.15%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	1.11%

Correlation

The correlation between HIGH and SPY is 0.72, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2022	0.46

Over the past year, HIGH and SPY have become more correlated (0.72) than their long-term average of 0.46, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

HIGH vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIGH

HIGH Risk / Return Rank: 7
HIGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
HIGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Omega Ratio Rank: 6
HIGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
HIGH Martin Ratio Rank: 8

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

HIGH vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	HIGH	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.16	1.90	-2.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.17	2.58	-2.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.34	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.15	2.67	-2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.21	11.92	-12.13

HIGH vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIGH Sharpe Ratio is -0.16, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIGH and SPY, 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

HIGH vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIGH drawdown since its inception was -9.50%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIGH and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIGH	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-9.50%	-55.19%	+45.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.50%	-8.88%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.50%	-18.76%	+9.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.50%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.50%	-3.17%	-4.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.44%	-9.04%	+6.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.73%	1.98%	+4.75%

Volatility

HIGH vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Enhanced Income ETF (HIGH) is 1.91%, while State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a volatility of 4.87%. This indicates that HIGH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIGH	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.91%	4.87%	-2.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.81%	9.85%	-6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.79%	12.50%	-3.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.53%	17.15%	-7.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.53%	17.95%	-8.42%

HIGH vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIGH has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIGH vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

HIGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.36%, more than SPY's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HIGH Simplify Enhanced Income ETF	7.36%	7.71%	8.34%	9.40%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.03%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIGH and SPY in my portfolio?

HIGH and SPY have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIGH or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (4.87%) compared to HIGH (1.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIGH dropped -9.50% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, HIGH or SPY?

On 3-year performance, SPY leads with 20.68% vs 2.72% for HIGH. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, HIGH has been the lower-risk option at 1.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HIGH or SPY?

Over the 3-year period, SPY has performed better with a 20.68% return vs 2.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HIGH or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for HIGH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HIGH or SPY?

HIGH has the higher dividend yield at 7.36%, compared with 1.03% for SPY.

What is the main difference between HIGH and SPY?

HIGH is categorized as Derivative Income, while SPY is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.51% for HIGH and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs -0.16), 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.