HSTIX vs. ECF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HSTIX (Homestead Stock Index Fund) is Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Homestead, while ECF (Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, HSTIX returned 15.35%/yr vs 13.36%/yr for ECF. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

HSTIX vs. ECF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX) and Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSTIX achieves a 9.54% return, which is significantly lower than ECF's 17.43% return. Over the past 10 years, HSTIX has outperformed ECF with an annualized return of 15.35%, while ECF has yielded a comparatively lower 13.36% annualized return.

HSTIX

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 0.06%
• YTD: 9.54%
• 6M: 8.54%
• 1Y: 24.93%
• 3Y*: 21.32%
• 5Y*: 13.35%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

ECF

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 2.90%
• YTD: 17.43%
• 6M: 15.54%
• 1Y: 44.30%
• 3Y*: 25.02%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: 13.36%

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

HSTIX vs. ECF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HSTIX Homestead Stock Index Fund	9.54%	17.36%	24.40%	27.24%	-18.53%	28.07%	17.81%	30.77%	-4.98%	21.17%
ECF Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.	17.43%	30.03%	27.48%	8.01%	-31.63%	-0.79%	31.72%	47.17%	-3.70%	19.51%

Correlation

The correlation between HSTIX and ECF is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 1999	0.46

The correlation between HSTIX and ECF shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (all time) to 0.63 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HSTIX vs. ECF — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSTIX

HSTIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
HSTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
HSTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
HSTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
HSTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
HSTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 74

ECF

ECF Risk / Return Rank: 88
ECF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
ECF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
ECF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
ECF Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
ECF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

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.

HSTIX vs. ECF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX) and Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF). 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.

	HSTIX	ECF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	2.29	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.85	2.88	-0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.38	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	3.38	-0.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.17	10.91	+2.25

HSTIX vs. ECF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the ECF Sharpe Ratio of 2.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSTIX and ECF, 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

HSTIX vs. ECF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSTIX drawdown since its inception was -55.64%, which is greater than ECF's maximum drawdown of -49.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSTIX and ECF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSTIX	ECF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.64%	-49.86%	-5.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.97%	-13.16%	+4.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.79%	-16.83%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.78%	-42.58%	+17.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.82%	-47.28%	+13.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.74%	-2.37%	+0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.56%	-10.14%	-1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	4.07%	-2.08%

Volatility

HSTIX vs. ECF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Homestead Stock Index Fund (HSTIX) is 4.68%, while Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF) has a volatility of 7.26%. This indicates that HSTIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ECF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSTIX	ECF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	7.26%	-2.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.84%	15.39%	-5.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.50%	19.43%	-6.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.02%	17.93%	-0.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.11%	21.86%	-3.75%

Dividends

HSTIX vs. ECF - Dividend Comparison

HSTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, less than ECF's 7.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ECF Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.	7.18%	7.39%	5.47%	6.44%	6.52%	12.14%	9.59%	6.63%	5.82%	4.68%	5.32%	10.22%
HSTIX Homestead Stock Index Fund	1.66%	1.82%	1.08%	2.49%	1.91%	2.13%	1.40%	1.98%	1.98%	0.89%	1.51%	1.66%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSTIX and ECF in my portfolio?

HSTIX and ECF have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HSTIX or ECF?

ECF has higher volatility (7.26%) compared to HSTIX (4.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSTIX dropped -55.64% vs ECF's -49.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ECF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 2.10), 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.