IQSU vs. HFXI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IQSU (IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF) and HFXI (IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQSU is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while HFXI is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IQSU returned 11.42%/yr vs 12.15%/yr for HFXI. Their 0.75 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. IQSU charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.20%/yr for HFXI.

Performance

IQSU vs. HFXI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQSU achieves a 12.56% return, which is significantly lower than HFXI's 16.19% return.

IQSU

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: -0.97%
• 6M: 11.18%
• YTD: 12.56%
• 1Y: 26.07%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 11.42%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 15.73%

HFXI

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: -0.69%
• 6M: 9.89%
• YTD: 16.19%
• 1Y: 32.93%
• 3Y*: 19.02%
• 5Y*: 12.15%
• 10Y*: 11.29%
• ALL TIME*: 9.31%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	$10.14M	$12.55M	$11.09M
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	$149.00K	$251.27K	$317.14K

IQSU vs. HFXI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	12.56%	14.44%	16.64%	32.96%	-22.10%	30.53%	28.24%	0.98%
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	16.19%	30.10%	7.58%	19.56%	-10.71%	13.96%	6.88%	-0.39%

Correlation

The correlation between IQSU and HFXI is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2019	0.75

The correlation between IQSU and HFXI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQSU vs. HFXI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQSU	HFXI
Technology	39.3%	16.7%
Consumer Cyclical	13.1%	7.2%
Financial Services	12.2%	24.6%
Communication Services	11.8%	3.2%
Industrials	5.8%	18.3%
Healthcare	5.5%	9.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	5.4%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.2%
Basic Materials	2.6%	5.9%
Utilities	2.0%	3.3%
Energy	1.4%	3.4%

Return for Risk

IQSU vs. HFXI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IQSU

IQSU Risk / Return Rank: 71
IQSU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQSU Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
IQSU Omega Ratio Rank: 71
IQSU Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
IQSU Martin Ratio Rank: 70

HFXI

HFXI Risk / Return Rank: 82
HFXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HFXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
HFXI Omega Ratio Rank: 84
HFXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
HFXI Martin Ratio Rank: 81

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IQSU vs. HFXI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) and IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI). 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.

	IQSU	HFXI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.73	1.93	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.65	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.36	-0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.19	2.94	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.63	10.78	-2.16

IQSU vs. HFXI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQSU Sharpe Ratio is 1.73, which is comparable to the HFXI Sharpe Ratio of 1.93. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQSU and HFXI, 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

IQSU vs. HFXI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQSU drawdown since its inception was -31.29%, roughly equal to the maximum HFXI drawdown of -32.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQSU and HFXI.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQSU	HFXI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.29%	-32.42%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.18%	-10.84%	-0.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.96%	-13.52%	-7.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.76%	-22.35%	-4.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.02%	-3.31%	+1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.88%	-5.42%	-0.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.83%	2.95%	-0.12%

Volatility

IQSU vs. HFXI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF (IQSU) is 4.47%, while IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF (HFXI) has a volatility of 5.35%. This indicates that IQSU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HFXI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQSU	HFXI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.47%	5.35%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.58%	14.87%	-3.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.19%	16.59%	-2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.08%	15.23%	+2.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.62%	16.60%	+4.02%

IQSU vs. HFXI - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQSU has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than HFXI's 0.20% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IQSU vs. HFXI - Dividend Comparison

IQSU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than HFXI's 3.33% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFXI IQ 50 Percent Hedged FTSE International ETF	3.33%	4.19%	2.68%	2.49%	4.65%	3.10%	2.00%	3.19%	4.33%	2.56%	2.71%	0.78%
IQSU IQ Candriam ESG U.S. Equity ETF	0.99%	1.09%	1.12%	1.15%	1.47%	1.07%	0.98%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQSU and HFXI in my portfolio?

IQSU and HFXI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQSU or HFXI?

HFXI has higher volatility (5.35%) compared to IQSU (4.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQSU dropped -31.29% vs HFXI's -32.42%.

Which ETF is better, IQSU or HFXI?

On 5-year performance, HFXI leads with 12.15% vs 11.42% for IQSU. On fees, IQSU is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, IQSU has been the lower-risk option at 4.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQSU or HFXI?

Over the 5-year period, HFXI has performed better with a 12.15% return vs 11.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQSU or HFXI?

IQSU is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HFXI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IQSU or HFXI?

HFXI has the higher dividend yield at 3.33%, compared with 0.99% for IQSU.

What is the main difference between IQSU and HFXI?

IQSU is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while HFXI is Foreign Large Cap Equities. IQSU tracks IQ Candriam ESG US Equity Index, while HFXI tracks FTSE Developed ex North America 50% Hedged to USD Index. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for IQSU and 0.20% for HFXI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFXI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 1.73), 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.