SPYI vs. ICSH

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF) and ICSH (iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos, while ICSH is a Ultrashort Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, SPYI returned 15.60%/yr vs 5.15%/yr for ICSH. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPYI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for ICSH.

Performance

SPYI vs. ICSH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SPYI achieves a 5.97% return, which is significantly higher than ICSH's 1.43% return.

SPYI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.11%
• YTD: 5.97%
• 6M: 6.55%
• 1Y: 20.24%
• 3Y*: 15.60%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ICSH

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: 1.43%
• 6M: 1.75%
• 1Y: 4.30%
• 3Y*: 5.15%
• 5Y*: 3.67%
• 10Y*: 2.77%

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

SPYI vs. ICSH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	5.97%	16.67%	19.03%	18.09%	-3.96%
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	1.43%	4.96%	5.52%	5.58%	1.05%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYI and ICSH is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2022	0.11

SPYI vs. ICSH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYI	ICSH
Technology	35.5%	-
Financial Services	11.8%	-
Communication Services	11.2%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	-
Healthcare	8.5%	-
Industrials	8.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	-
Energy	3.5%	-
Utilities	2.3%	100.0%
Real Estate	2.0%	-
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

SPYI vs. ICSH — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYI

SPYI Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPYI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SPYI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
SPYI Omega Ratio Rank: 76
SPYI Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
SPYI Martin Ratio Rank: 78

ICSH

ICSH Risk / Return Rank: 99
ICSH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
ICSH Omega Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
ICSH Martin Ratio Rank: 99

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.

SPYI vs. ICSH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) and iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH). 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.

	SPYI	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.06	11.01	-8.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	27.36	-24.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	6.56	-5.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	43.67	-41.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.60	288.81	-275.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPYI vs. ICSH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYI Sharpe Ratio is 2.06, which is lower than the ICSH Sharpe Ratio of 11.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYI and ICSH, 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

	SPYI	ICSH	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.06	11.01	-8.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	7.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	2.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.17	1.93	-0.76

Drawdowns

SPYI vs. ICSH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYI drawdown since its inception was -16.47%, which is greater than ICSH's maximum drawdown of -3.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYI and ICSH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYI	ICSH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.47%	-3.94%	-12.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.72%	-0.10%	-7.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.47%	-0.10%	-16.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-0.73%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-3.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.11%	-0.02%	-2.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.80%	-0.08%	-1.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.49%	0.01%	+1.48%

Volatility

SPYI vs. ICSH - Volatility Comparison

NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI) has a higher volatility of 2.87% compared to iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF (ICSH) at 0.15%. This indicates that SPYI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ICSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SPYI	ICSH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.87%	0.15%	+2.72%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.78%	0.30%	+7.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.88%	0.39%	+9.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.95%	0.48%	+12.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.95%	1.06%	+11.89%

SPYI vs. ICSH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than ICSH's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYI vs. ICSH - Dividend Comparison

SPYI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.83%, more than ICSH's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICSH iShares Ultra Short Duration Bond Active ETF	4.34%	4.55%	5.24%	4.78%	1.66%	0.42%	1.21%	2.61%	2.20%	1.36%	0.88%	0.54%
SPYI NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF	11.83%	11.70%	12.04%	12.01%	4.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYI and ICSH in my portfolio?

SPYI and ICSH have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPYI or ICSH?

SPYI has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to ICSH (0.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYI dropped -16.47% vs ICSH's -3.94%.

Which ETF is better, SPYI or ICSH?

On 3-year performance, SPYI leads with 15.60% vs 5.15% for ICSH. On fees, ICSH is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, ICSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.15%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYI or ICSH?

Over the 3-year period, SPYI has performed better with a 15.60% return vs 5.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYI or ICSH?

ICSH is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for SPYI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SPYI or ICSH?

SPYI has the higher dividend yield at 11.83%, compared with 4.34% for ICSH.

What is the main difference between SPYI and ICSH?

SPYI is categorized as Derivative Income, while ICSH is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Neos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for SPYI and 0.08% for ICSH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ICSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (11.01 vs 2.06), 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.