SPY vs. HEGD

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) and HEGD (Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while HEGD is a Equity Hedged fund actively managed by Swan. SPY is passively managed, while HEGD is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPY returned 12.81%/yr vs 8.19%/yr for HEGD. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPY charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.88%/yr for HEGD.

Performance

SPY vs. HEGD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF (HEGD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPY achieves a 9.40% return, which is significantly higher than HEGD's 5.20% return.

SPY

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.62%
• 6M: 7.86%
• YTD: 9.40%
• 1Y: 19.56%
• 3Y*: 19.43%
• 5Y*: 12.81%
• 10Y*: 14.90%
• ALL TIME*: 10.78%

HEGD

• 1D: -0.38%
• 1M: -0.75%
• 6M: 4.21%
• YTD: 5.20%
• 1Y: 12.11%
• 3Y*: 12.69%
• 5Y*: 8.19%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.28%

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

SPY vs. HEGD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.40%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	1.81%
HEGD Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF	5.20%	12.95%	15.24%	14.16%	-11.25%	17.30%	0.75%

Correlation

The correlation between SPY and HEGD is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2020	0.90

The correlation between SPY and HEGD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPY vs. HEGD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPY	HEGD
Technology	38.2%	38.5%
Financial Services	11.9%	11.6%
Communication Services	9.9%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	9.5%
Healthcare	8.9%	8.9%
Industrials	7.7%	8.4%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	4.5%
Energy	3.1%	3.0%
Utilities	2.6%	2.2%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.7%
Real Estate	1.8%	1.8%

Return for Risk

SPY vs. HEGD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 63
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

HEGD

HEGD Risk / Return Rank: 68
HEGD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
HEGD Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
HEGD Omega Ratio Rank: 63
HEGD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
HEGD Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

SPY vs. HEGD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) and Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF (HEGD). 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.

	SPY	HEGD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.60	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	2.26	-0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.28	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	2.77	-0.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.59	9.43	+0.16

SPY vs. HEGD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the HEGD Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPY and HEGD, 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

SPY vs. HEGD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPY drawdown since its inception was -55.19%, which is greater than HEGD's maximum drawdown of -14.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPY and HEGD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPY	HEGD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.19%	-14.56%	-40.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.88%	-4.39%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.76%	-8.14%	-10.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.50%	-14.56%	-9.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.72%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.05%	-2.16%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.02%	-3.62%	-5.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.04%	1.29%	+0.75%

Volatility

SPY vs. HEGD - Volatility Comparison

State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) has a higher volatility of 3.45% compared to Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF (HEGD) at 2.22%. This indicates that SPY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEGD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPY	HEGD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.45%	2.22%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.06%	5.78%	+4.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	7.59%	+5.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.15%	9.47%	+7.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.94%	9.37%	+8.57%

SPY vs. HEGD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPY has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than HEGD's 0.88% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPY vs. HEGD - Dividend Comparison

SPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, more than HEGD's 0.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEGD Swan Hedged Equity US Large Cap ETF	0.34%	0.36%	0.43%	0.39%	0.87%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	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 SPY and HEGD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, SPY and HEGD 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, SPY or HEGD?

SPY has higher volatility (3.45%) compared to HEGD (2.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPY dropped -55.19% vs HEGD's -14.56%.

Which ETF is better, SPY or HEGD?

On 5-year performance, SPY leads with 12.81% vs 8.19% for HEGD. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, HEGD has been the lower-risk option at 2.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPY or HEGD?

Over the 5-year period, SPY has performed better with a 12.81% return vs 8.19%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPY or HEGD?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.88% for HEGD.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 1.01%, compared with 0.34% for HEGD.

What is the main difference between SPY and HEGD?

SPY is categorized as S&P 500, while HEGD is Equity Hedged. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Swan. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for SPY and 0.88% for HEGD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEGD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.60 vs 1.56), 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.