SPD vs. CDX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPD (Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF) and CDX (Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPD is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Simplify, while CDX is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Simplify. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPD returned 17.87%/yr vs 7.17%/yr for CDX. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPD charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.26%/yr for CDX.

Performance

SPD vs. CDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPD achieves a 6.70% return, which is significantly higher than CDX's -2.44% return.

SPD

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.09%
• YTD: 6.70%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 14.01%
• 3Y*: 17.87%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: —

CDX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.71%
• YTD: -2.44%
• 6M: -2.70%
• 1Y: -1.77%
• 3Y*: 7.17%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPD vs. CDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	6.70%	18.86%	17.49%	20.94%	-20.87%
CDX Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF	-2.44%	9.51%	7.71%	12.74%	-8.12%

Correlation

The correlation between SPD and CDX is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2022	0.39

The correlation between SPD and CDX shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (1 year) to 0.39 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SPD vs. CDX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPD	CDX
Technology	35.6%	24.6%
Financial Services	11.8%	10.0%
Communication Services	11.2%	4.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.8%
Healthcare	8.5%	14.2%
Industrials	8.3%	15.1%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	4.1%
Energy	3.5%	6.9%
Utilities	2.4%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	4.2%
Basic Materials	1.8%	4.0%

Return for Risk

SPD vs. CDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPD

SPD Risk / Return Rank: 27
SPD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
SPD Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
SPD Omega Ratio Rank: 27
SPD Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
SPD Martin Ratio Rank: 27

CDX

CDX Risk / Return Rank: 5
CDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
CDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
CDX Omega Ratio Rank: 5
CDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
CDX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

SPD vs. CDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) and Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX). 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.

	SPD	CDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	-0.31	+1.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.58	-0.40	+1.98
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	0.95	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.18	-0.43	+1.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.67	-1.00	+4.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPD vs. CDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPD Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is higher than the CDX Sharpe Ratio of -0.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPD and CDX, 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

	SPD	CDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	-0.31	+1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.38	+0.31

Drawdowns

SPD vs. CDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPD drawdown since its inception was -27.38%, which is greater than CDX's maximum drawdown of -13.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPD and CDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPD	CDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.38%	-13.24%	-14.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.90%	-4.18%	-7.72%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.18%	-8.88%	-6.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.70%	-7.41%	+6.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.72%	-4.34%	-3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.77%	+2.05%

Volatility

SPD vs. CDX - Volatility Comparison

Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF (SPD) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF (CDX) at 1.61%. This indicates that SPD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CDX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPD	CDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	1.61%	+1.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.60%	4.72%	+3.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	5.69%	+7.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.04%	11.10%	+4.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.98%	11.10%	+4.88%

SPD vs. CDX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPD has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than CDX's 0.26% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPD vs. CDX - Dividend Comparison

SPD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than CDX's 8.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
CDX Simplify High Yield PLUS Credit Hedge ETF	8.37%	7.18%	12.60%	5.26%	7.51%	0.00%	0.00%
SPD Simplify US Equity PLUS Downside Convexity ETF	0.96%	0.97%	1.14%	1.91%	1.64%	0.88%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPD and CDX in my portfolio?

SPD and CDX have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPD or CDX?

SPD has higher volatility (3.35%) compared to CDX (1.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPD dropped -27.38% vs CDX's -13.24%.

Which ETF is better, SPD or CDX?

On 3-year performance, SPD leads with 17.87% vs 7.17% for CDX. On fees, CDX is cheaper at 0.26% per year. On volatility, CDX has been the lower-risk option at 1.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPD or CDX?

Over the 3-year period, SPD has performed better with a 17.87% return vs 7.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPD or CDX?

CDX is cheaper with a 0.26% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for SPD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPD or CDX?

CDX has the higher dividend yield at 8.37%, compared with 0.96% for SPD.

What is the main difference between SPD and CDX?

SPD is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while CDX is High Yield Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for SPD and 0.26% for CDX.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs -0.31), 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.