QAI vs. SPHY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QAI (IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF) and SPHY (SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QAI is a Long-Short fund tracking the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index, while SPHY is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US High Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QAI returned 3.79%/yr vs 5.03%/yr for SPHY. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QAI charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for SPHY.

Performance

QAI vs. SPHY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) 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, QAI achieves a 7.58% return, which is significantly higher than SPHY's 1.32% return. Over the past 10 years, QAI has underperformed SPHY with an annualized return of 3.79%, while SPHY has yielded a comparatively higher 5.03% annualized return.

QAI

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: -0.22%
• YTD: 7.58%
• 6M: 8.00%
• 1Y: 14.10%
• 3Y*: 9.67%
• 5Y*: 4.31%
• 10Y*: 3.79%

SPHY

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: -0.18%
• YTD: 1.32%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 6.98%
• 3Y*: 8.78%
• 5Y*: 4.29%
• 10Y*: 5.03%

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

QAI vs. SPHY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	7.58%	8.29%	6.67%	10.07%	-8.68%	-0.16%	5.73%	8.68%	-3.32%	6.17%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	1.32%	8.59%	8.54%	12.81%	-10.57%	5.61%	6.65%	13.16%	-3.35%	7.35%

Correlation

The correlation between QAI and SPHY is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 20, 2012	0.44

Over the past year, QAI and SPHY have become more correlated (0.71) than their long-term average of 0.44, meaning their price movements have been converging.

QAI vs. SPHY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QAI	SPHY
Technology	21.9%	-
Financial Services	19.5%	99.9%
Industrials	13.6%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	7.3%	-
Healthcare	7.1%	-
Basic Materials	5.3%	-
Utilities	3.8%	-
Energy	3.7%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	-
Real Estate	2.9%	-

Return for Risk

QAI vs. SPHY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 81
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

SPHY

SPHY Risk / Return Rank: 69
SPHY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPHY Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
SPHY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPHY Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SPHY Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QAI vs. SPHY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) 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.

	QAI	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.26	1.90	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.88	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.38	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.81	2.90	+0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.45	13.14	+2.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QAI vs. SPHY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QAI Sharpe Ratio is 2.26, which is comparable to the SPHY Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QAI 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QAI	SPHY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.26	1.90	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.60	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.64	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.63	-0.08

Drawdowns

QAI vs. SPHY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QAI drawdown since its inception was -14.95%, smaller than the maximum SPHY drawdown of -21.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QAI and SPHY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QAI	SPHY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.95%	-21.97%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.71%	-2.41%	-1.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.78%	-4.85%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.32%	-15.29%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-14.95%	-21.97%	+7.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.72%	-0.44%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.57%	-2.29%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.91%	0.53%	+0.38%

Volatility

QAI vs. SPHY - Volatility Comparison

IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) has a higher volatility of 2.56% compared to SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF (SPHY) at 1.10%. This indicates that QAI'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

	QAI	SPHY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.56%	1.10%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.25%	2.94%	+2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.26%	3.69%	+2.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.60%	7.18%	-0.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.19%	7.88%	-1.69%

QAI vs. SPHY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QAI has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than SPHY's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

QAI vs. SPHY - Dividend Comparison

QAI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.40%, less than SPHY's 7.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.40%	1.50%	2.22%	4.08%	2.00%	0.28%	1.98%	1.91%	1.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.48%
SPHY SPDR Portfolio High Yield Bond ETF	7.28%	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 QAI and SPHY in my portfolio?

QAI and SPHY have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QAI or SPHY?

QAI has higher volatility (2.56%) compared to SPHY (1.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QAI dropped -14.95% vs SPHY's -21.97%.

Which ETF is better, QAI or SPHY?

On 10-year performance, SPHY leads with 5.03% vs 3.79% for QAI. On fees, SPHY is cheaper at 0.05% per year. On volatility, SPHY has been the lower-risk option at 1.10%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QAI or SPHY?

Over the 10-year period, SPHY has performed better with a 5.03% return vs 3.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QAI or SPHY?

SPHY is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QAI.

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

SPHY has the higher dividend yield at 7.28%, compared with 1.40% for QAI.

What is the main difference between QAI and SPHY?

QAI is categorized as Long-Short, while SPHY is High Yield Bonds. QAI tracks IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index, while SPHY tracks ICE BofA US High Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: New York Life and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QAI and 0.05% for SPHY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.26 vs 1.90), 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.