LGH vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

LGH (HCM Defender 500 Index ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - LGH is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the HCM Defender 500 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, LGH returned 11.27%/yr vs 13.83%/yr for SPY. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. LGH charges 1.23%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

LGH vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LGH achieves a 4.82% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return.

LGH

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 7.14%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 4.52%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: 20.78%
• 5Y*: 11.27%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

LGH vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
LGH HCM Defender 500 Index ETF	4.82%	19.47%	27.00%	24.19%	-27.37%	39.92%	18.51%	11.06%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	10.30%

Correlation

The correlation between LGH and SPY is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.93

The correlation between LGH and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

LGH vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

LGH

LGH Risk / Return Rank: 47
LGH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
LGH Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
LGH Omega Ratio Rank: 48
LGH Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
LGH Martin Ratio Rank: 46

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

LGH vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	LGH	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.38	-0.66
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	3.24	-0.97
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.43	-0.13
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.34	3.16	-0.82
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.55	14.72	-7.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

LGH vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LGH Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LGH and SPY, 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

	LGH	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.72	2.38	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.82	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.59	+0.21

Drawdowns

LGH vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LGH drawdown since its inception was -29.60%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LGH and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	LGH	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.60%	-55.19%	+25.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.29%	-8.88%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.42%	-18.76%	+0.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.38%	-24.50%	-4.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.70%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.42%	-9.05%	-0.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	1.91%	+1.58%

Volatility

LGH vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

HCM Defender 500 Index ETF (LGH) has a higher volatility of 4.07% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that LGH's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	LGH	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.07%	2.84%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.86%	8.90%	+1.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.41%	11.83%	+3.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.52%	17.05%	-0.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.78%	17.94%	+1.84%

LGH vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

LGH has a 1.23% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

LGH vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

LGH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
LGH HCM Defender 500 Index ETF	0.37%	0.38%	0.40%	0.63%	0.61%	0.14%	0.23%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both LGH and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, LGH and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, LGH or SPY?

LGH has higher volatility (4.07%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LGH dropped -29.60% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, LGH or SPY?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 13.83% vs 11.27% for LGH. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, LGH or SPY?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 13.83% return vs 11.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, LGH or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 1.23% for LGH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, LGH or SPY?

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.37% for LGH.

What is the main difference between LGH and SPY?

LGH is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. LGH tracks HCM Defender 500 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Howard Capital Management and State Street. Their fees differ too: 1.23% for LGH and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 1.72), 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.