JEPQ vs. HELO

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) and HELO (JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, while HELO is a Options Trading fund actively managed by JPMorgan. JEPQ is passively managed, while HELO is actively managed. Over the past year, JEPQ returned 22.09% vs 8.27% for HELO. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JEPQ charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for HELO.

Performance

JEPQ vs. HELO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) and JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JEPQ achieves a 7.06% return, which is significantly higher than HELO's 1.25% return.

JEPQ

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -1.29%
• YTD: 7.06%
• 6M: 5.89%
• 1Y: 22.09%
• 3Y*: 19.41%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HELO

• 1D: 0.06%
• 1M: -1.12%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 0.39%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

JEPQ vs. HELO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.06%	15.18%	24.85%	10.19%
HELO JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	1.25%	7.82%	18.05%	5.25%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPQ and HELO is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2023	0.87

The correlation between JEPQ and HELO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JEPQ vs. HELO — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 60
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 72

HELO

HELO Risk / Return Rank: 39
HELO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
HELO Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
HELO Omega Ratio Rank: 43
HELO Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
HELO Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

JEPQ vs. HELO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) and JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO). 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.

	JEPQ	HELO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.30	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	1.85	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.26	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.52	1.44	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.78	6.27	+5.52

JEPQ vs. HELO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the HELO Sharpe Ratio of 1.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPQ and HELO, 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

JEPQ vs. HELO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPQ drawdown since its inception was -20.07%, which is greater than HELO's maximum drawdown of -10.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPQ and HELO.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPQ	HELO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.07%	-10.89%	-9.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-5.76%	-3.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.07%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.19%	-1.31%	-1.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-1.18%	-2.21%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.88%	1.32%	+0.56%

Volatility

JEPQ vs. HELO - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a higher volatility of 6.39% compared to JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF (HELO) at 1.78%. This indicates that JEPQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HELO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JEPQ	HELO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.39%	1.78%	+4.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.60%	4.99%	+5.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	6.37%	+6.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.78%	7.96%	+8.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.78%	7.96%	+8.82%

JEPQ vs. HELO - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HELO's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPQ vs. HELO - Dividend Comparison

JEPQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.30%, more than HELO's 0.64% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
HELO JPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF	0.64%	0.67%	0.60%	0.19%	0.00%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.30%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JEPQ and HELO in my portfolio?

JEPQ and HELO have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEPQ or HELO?

JEPQ has higher volatility (6.39%) compared to HELO (1.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPQ dropped -20.07% vs HELO's -10.89%.

Which ETF is better, JEPQ or HELO?

On 1-year performance, JEPQ leads with 22.09% vs 8.27% for HELO. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, HELO has been the lower-risk option at 1.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JEPQ or HELO?

Over the 1-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 22.09% return vs 8.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPQ or HELO?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for HELO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JEPQ or HELO?

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.30%, compared with 0.64% for HELO.

What is the main difference between JEPQ and HELO?

JEPQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while HELO is Options Trading. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPQ and 0.50% for HELO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.69 vs 1.30), 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.