IHY vs. HNDL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IHY (VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF) and HNDL (Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-­‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index, while HNDL is a Diversified Portfolio fund tracking the NASDAQ 7 HANDL™ Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IHY returned 1.76%/yr vs 5.15%/yr for HNDL. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IHY charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.97%/yr for HNDL.

Performance

IHY vs. HNDL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY) and Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (HNDL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IHY achieves a 1.35% return, which is significantly lower than HNDL's 7.41% return.

IHY

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 0.40%
• YTD: 1.35%
• 6M: 2.41%
• 1Y: 6.67%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 1.76%
• 10Y*: 4.06%

HNDL

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 7.41%
• 6M: 6.83%
• 1Y: 15.95%
• 3Y*: 12.14%
• 5Y*: 5.15%
• 10Y*: —

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

IHY vs. HNDL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IHY VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF	1.35%	13.39%	3.55%	12.11%	-14.34%	-2.82%	8.65%	12.77%	-5.85%
HNDL Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF	7.41%	10.76%	10.66%	13.28%	-19.12%	9.06%	12.03%	15.66%	-5.88%

Correlation

The correlation between IHY and HNDL is 0.57, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 18, 2018	0.52

The correlation between IHY and HNDL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

IHY vs. HNDL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IHY	HNDL
Financial Services	100.0%	89.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Communication Services	-	6.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.6%
Energy	-	16.4%
Healthcare	-	6.1%
Industrials	-	5.0%
Real Estate	-	9.8%
Technology	-	22.7%
Utilities	-	15.3%

Return for Risk

IHY vs. HNDL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IHY

IHY Risk / Return Rank: 34
IHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
IHY Omega Ratio Rank: 34
IHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
IHY Martin Ratio Rank: 34

HNDL

HNDL Risk / Return Rank: 68
HNDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
HNDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
HNDL Omega Ratio Rank: 69
HNDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
HNDL Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

IHY vs. HNDL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY) and Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (HNDL). 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.

	IHY	HNDL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.24	2.19	-0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.89	3.04	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.41	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.41	3.23	-1.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.07	13.30	-8.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IHY vs. HNDL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IHY Sharpe Ratio is 1.24, which is lower than the HNDL Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IHY and HNDL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IHY	HNDL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.24	2.19	-0.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23	0.45	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.54	0.00

Drawdowns

IHY vs. HNDL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IHY drawdown since its inception was -27.63%, which is greater than HNDL's maximum drawdown of -23.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IHY and HNDL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IHY	HNDL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.63%	-23.72%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.75%	-4.96%	+0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.75%	-12.25%	+7.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.63%	-23.72%	-3.91%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.63%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	0.00%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.28%	-4.87%	-0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.32%	1.20%	+0.12%

Volatility

IHY vs. HNDL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Vectors International High Yield Bond ETF (IHY) is 1.32%, while Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF (HNDL) has a volatility of 2.06%. This indicates that IHY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HNDL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IHY	HNDL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	2.06%	-0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.93%	5.58%	-1.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.39%	7.33%	-1.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.73%	11.50%	-3.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.72%	10.74%	-3.02%

IHY vs. HNDL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IHY has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than HNDL's 0.97% expense ratio.

Dividends

IHY vs. HNDL - Dividend Comparison

IHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.67%, less than HNDL's 6.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HNDL Strategy Shares Nasdaq 7HANDL Index ETF	6.77%	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	5.67%	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

Can I hold both IHY and HNDL in my portfolio?

IHY and HNDL have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IHY or HNDL?

HNDL has higher volatility (2.06%) compared to IHY (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IHY dropped -27.63% vs HNDL's -23.72%.

Which ETF is better, IHY or HNDL?

On 5-year performance, HNDL leads with 5.15% vs 1.76% for IHY. On fees, IHY is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, IHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IHY or HNDL?

Over the 5-year period, HNDL has performed better with a 5.15% return vs 1.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IHY or HNDL?

IHY is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for HNDL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IHY or HNDL?

HNDL has the higher dividend yield at 6.77%, compared with 5.67% for IHY.

What is the main difference between IHY and HNDL?

IHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while HNDL is Diversified Portfolio. IHY tracks Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Ex-­‐US Issuers High Yield Constrained Index, while HNDL tracks NASDAQ 7 HANDL™ Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Rational Capital LLC. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for IHY and 0.97% for HNDL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HNDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.24), 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.