HNDL vs. IHY
HNDL (Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF) and IHY (VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HNDL is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the NASDAQ 7 HANDL™ Index, while IHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HNDL returned 4.77%/yr vs 1.72%/yr for IHY. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HNDL charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for IHY.
Performance
HNDL vs. IHY - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HNDL achieves a 6.62% return, which is significantly higher than IHY's 0.65% return.
HNDL
- 1D
- -0.20%
- 1M
- -0.34%
- YTD
- 6.62%
- 6M
- 6.43%
- 1Y
- 14.43%
- 3Y*
- 11.67%
- 5Y*
- 4.77%
- 10Y*
- —
IHY
- 1D
- -0.18%
- 1M
- 0.01%
- YTD
- 0.65%
- 6M
- 0.37%
- 1Y
- 4.89%
- 3Y*
- 8.50%
- 5Y*
- 1.72%
- 10Y*
- 4.19%
HNDL vs. IHY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HNDL Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF | 6.62% | 10.76% | 10.66% | 13.28% | -19.12% | 9.06% | 12.03% | 15.66% | -5.82% |
IHY VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF | 0.65% | 13.39% | 3.55% | 12.11% | -14.34% | -2.82% | 8.65% | 12.77% | -5.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between HNDL and IHY is 0.59, 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 | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 17, 2018 | 0.52 |
The correlation between HNDL and IHY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HNDL vs. IHY — Risk / Return Rank
HNDL
IHY
HNDL vs. IHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (HNDL) and VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY). 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.
| HNDL | IHY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.00 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.35 | 1.16 | +0.19 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.92 | 1.03 | +1.89 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.88 | 3.67 | +8.21 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
HNDL vs. IHY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HNDL drawdown since its inception was -23.72%, smaller than the maximum IHY drawdown of -27.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HNDL and IHY.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HNDL | IHY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -23.72% | -27.63% | +3.91% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -4.96% | -4.75% | -0.21% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -12.25% | -4.75% | -7.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -23.72% | -26.91% | +3.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -27.63% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.77% | -1.41% | +0.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.84% | -5.26% | +0.42% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.22% | 1.34% | -0.12% |
Volatility
HNDL vs. IHY - Volatility Comparison
Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (HNDL) has a higher volatility of 2.68% compared to VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY) at 1.46%. This indicates that HNDL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HNDL | IHY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 2.68% | 1.46% | +1.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 5.94% | 4.03% | +1.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 7.63% | 5.42% | +2.21% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 11.55% | 7.75% | +3.80% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 10.74% | 7.65% | +3.09% |
HNDL vs. IHY - Expense Ratio Comparison
HNDL has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than IHY's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
HNDL vs. IHY - Dividend Comparison
HNDL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.89%, more than IHY's 5.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HNDL Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF | 6.89% | 6.86% | 7.02% | 6.78% | 7.87% | 6.86% | 6.21% | 5.27% | 6.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
IHY VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF | 5.71% | 5.31% | 5.60% | 5.26% | 4.97% | 4.55% | 4.65% | 4.86% | 4.70% | 4.36% | 5.11% | 5.79% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HNDL and IHY have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HNDL has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to IHY (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HNDL dropped -23.72% vs IHY's -27.63%.
On 5-year performance, HNDL leads with 4.77% vs 1.72% for IHY. On fees, IHY is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, HNDL has performed better with a 4.77% return vs 1.72%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IHY is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for HNDL.
HNDL has the higher dividend yield at 6.89%, compared with 5.71% for IHY.
HNDL is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while IHY is High Yield Bonds. HNDL tracks NASDAQ 7 HANDL™ Index, while IHY tracks Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index. They also come from different issuers: Rational Capital LLC and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for HNDL and 0.40% for IHY.
HNDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 0.91), 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.
Find the right allocation for HNDL and IHY
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer