PCHI vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 27, 2026

PCHI (Polen High Income ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both High Yield Bonds funds. PCHI is actively managed, while SPHY is passively managed. Over the past year, PCHI returned -2.38% vs 5.99% for SPHY. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PCHI charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

PCHI vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Polen High Income ETF (PCHI) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PCHI achieves a -4.47% return, which is significantly lower than SPHY's 1.85% return.

PCHI

• 1D: -5.60%
• 1M: -5.53%
• YTD: -4.47%
• 6M: -4.18%
• 1Y: -2.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SPHY

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 0.33%
• YTD: 1.85%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 5.99%
• 3Y*: 9.06%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 5.10%

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

PCHI vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
PCHI Polen High Income ETF	-4.47%	5.19%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.85%	6.63%

Correlation

The correlation between PCHI and SPHY is 0.54, 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	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2025	0.48

The correlation between PCHI and SPHY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PCHI vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

PCHI

PCHI Risk / Return Rank: 5
PCHI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PCHI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PCHI Omega Ratio Rank: 5
PCHI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PCHI Martin Ratio Rank: 0

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 59
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 58
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

PCHI vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Polen High Income ETF (PCHI) and SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY). 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.

	PCHI	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.32	1.63	-1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.33	2.47	-2.80
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.32	-0.39
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.37	2.49	-2.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-2.21	11.23	-13.44

PCHI vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PCHI Sharpe Ratio is -0.32, which is lower than the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PCHI and SPHY, 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

PCHI vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PCHI drawdown since its inception was -6.41%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PCHI and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	PCHI	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-6.41%	-21.97%	+15.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.41%	-2.41%	-4.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-4.85%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.29%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.41%	-0.17%	-6.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.82%	-2.28%	+1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.08%	0.53%	+0.55%

Volatility

PCHI vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

Polen High Income ETF (PCHI) has a higher volatility of 6.12% compared to SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) at 0.92%. This indicates that PCHI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PCHI	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.12%	0.92%	+5.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.81%	2.97%	+3.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.45%	3.71%	+3.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.34%	7.18%	+0.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.34%	7.85%	-0.51%

PCHI vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

PCHI has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

PCHI vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

PCHI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.47%, more than SPHY's 7.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PCHI Polen High Income ETF	8.47%	5.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.24%	7.38%	7.80%	7.30%	6.47%	5.13%	5.63%	5.73%	4.09%	4.41%	4.27%	4.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PCHI and SPHY in my portfolio?

PCHI and SPHY have a correlation of 0.54, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PCHI or SPHY?

PCHI has higher volatility (6.12%) compared to SPHY (0.92%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PCHI dropped -6.41% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which ETF is better, PCHI or SPHY?

On 1-year performance, SPHY leads with 5.99% vs -2.38% for PCHI. On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPHY has been the lower-risk option at 0.92%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PCHI or SPHY?

Over the 1-year period, SPHY has performed better with a 5.99% return vs -2.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PCHI or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.56% for PCHI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PCHI or SPHY?

PCHI has the higher dividend yield at 8.47%, compared with 7.24% for SPHY.

What is the main difference between PCHI and SPHY?

They also come from different issuers: Polen Capital and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.56% for PCHI and 0.05% for SPHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPHY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs -0.32), 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.