HLAL vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

HLAL (Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HLAL is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the FTSE Shariah USA Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HLAL returned 15.03%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HLAL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

HLAL vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL) 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, HLAL achieves a 15.80% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 9.74% return.

HLAL

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 15.80%
• 6M: 14.98%
• 1Y: 39.01%
• 3Y*: 20.26%
• 5Y*: 15.03%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

HLAL vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HLAL Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF	15.80%	18.30%	16.70%	30.13%	-17.56%	28.64%	24.65%	10.61%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	8.04%

Correlation

The correlation between HLAL and SPY is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 16, 2019	0.95

The correlation between HLAL and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

HLAL vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HLAL	SPY
Technology	51.2%	39.0%
Communication Services	16.8%	10.6%
Healthcare	10.4%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.6%	9.9%
Industrials	5.2%	7.8%
Energy	4.4%	3.1%
Consumer Defensive	2.9%	4.5%
Basic Materials	2.5%	1.7%
Real Estate	0.8%	1.8%
Utilities	0.2%	2.1%
Financial Services	0.0%	11.1%

Return for Risk

HLAL vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

HLAL

HLAL Risk / Return Rank: 84
HLAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
HLAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
HLAL Omega Ratio Rank: 85
HLAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
HLAL Martin Ratio Rank: 84

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

HLAL vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL) 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.

	HLAL	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.16	+0.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.75	2.91	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.39	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.84	3.01	+0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.70	13.54	+3.17

HLAL vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HLAL Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HLAL 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

HLAL vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HLAL drawdown since its inception was -33.57%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HLAL and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	HLAL	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.57%	-55.19%	+21.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.20%	-8.88%	-1.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.67%	-18.76%	-2.91%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.18%	-24.50%	+1.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.53%	-1.75%	-0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.99%	-9.04%	+4.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.34%	1.97%	+0.37%

Volatility

HLAL vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF (HLAL) has a higher volatility of 6.21% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.64%. This indicates that HLAL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HLAL	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.21%	4.64%	+1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.36%	9.75%	+1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.21%	12.43%	+1.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.77%	17.14%	+0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.25%	17.99%	+2.26%

HLAL vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

HLAL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

HLAL vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

HLAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLAL Wahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF	0.46%	0.53%	0.58%	0.72%	1.15%	0.78%	0.97%	0.72%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 HLAL and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, HLAL and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, HLAL or SPY?

HLAL has higher volatility (6.21%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HLAL dropped -33.57% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, HLAL or SPY?

On 5-year performance, HLAL leads with 15.03% vs 13.51% for SPY. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HLAL or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, HLAL has performed better with a 15.03% return vs 13.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HLAL or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HLAL.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.46% for HLAL.

What is the main difference between HLAL and SPY?

HLAL is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. HLAL tracks FTSE Shariah USA Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Wahed and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for HLAL and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HLAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.16), 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.