ZHDG vs. JEPI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

ZHDG (ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF) and JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZHDG is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by ZEGA, while JEPI is a Dividend fund actively managed by JPMorgan. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, ZHDG returned 14.91%/yr vs 8.83%/yr for JEPI. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZHDG charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPI.

Performance

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZHDG achieves a 5.76% return, which is significantly higher than JEPI's 0.01% return.

ZHDG

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 4.94%
• YTD: 5.76%
• 6M: 6.33%
• 1Y: 19.67%
• 3Y*: 14.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

JEPI

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -1.94%
• YTD: 0.01%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 7.76%
• 3Y*: 8.83%
• 5Y*: 7.30%
• 10Y*: —

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

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ZHDG ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF	5.76%	14.34%	18.02%	13.14%	-22.07%	6.41%
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	0.01%	8.09%	12.57%	9.83%	-3.49%	7.39%

Correlation

The correlation between ZHDG and JEPI is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2021	0.69

The correlation between ZHDG and JEPI shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.69 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZHDG	JEPI
Technology	33.1%	19.1%
Financial Services	12.3%	9.8%
Communication Services	10.7%	6.9%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	11.7%
Healthcare	9.8%	14.1%
Industrials	8.7%	13.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.4%	9.6%
Energy	3.5%	3.5%
Utilities	2.5%	6.2%
Real Estate	2.0%	3.5%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.9%

Return for Risk

ZHDG vs. JEPI — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZHDG

ZHDG Risk / Return Rank: 53
ZHDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
ZHDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ZHDG Omega Ratio Rank: 54
ZHDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
ZHDG Martin Ratio Rank: 54

JEPI

JEPI Risk / Return Rank: 27
JEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
JEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
JEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
JEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) and JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI). 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.

	ZHDG	JEPI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	0.99	+0.94
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	1.48	+1.20
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.18	+0.16
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	1.18	+1.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.65	3.87	+5.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZHDG Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is higher than the JEPI Sharpe Ratio of 0.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZHDG and JEPI, 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

	ZHDG	JEPI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.93	0.99	+0.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	1.01	-0.48

Drawdowns

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZHDG drawdown since its inception was -23.27%, which is greater than JEPI's maximum drawdown of -13.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZHDG and JEPI.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZHDG	JEPI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.27%	-13.71%	-9.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.56%	-6.68%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.63%	-13.26%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-13.71%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.96%	+4.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-2.11%	-6.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.05%	2.04%	+0.01%

Volatility

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Volatility Comparison

ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) at 1.34%. This indicates that ZHDG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JEPI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZHDG	JEPI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.73%	1.34%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.05%	6.10%	+1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.25%	7.85%	+2.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.75%	11.06%	+0.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.75%	10.80%	+0.95%

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZHDG has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZHDG vs. JEPI - Dividend Comparison

ZHDG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.43%, less than JEPI's 8.28% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	8.28%	8.25%	7.33%	8.40%	11.68%	6.59%	5.79%
ZHDG ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF	2.43%	2.57%	2.59%	1.52%	3.58%	1.33%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZHDG and JEPI in my portfolio?

ZHDG and JEPI have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZHDG or JEPI?

ZHDG has higher volatility (2.73%) compared to JEPI (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZHDG dropped -23.27% vs JEPI's -13.71%.

Which ETF is better, ZHDG or JEPI?

On 3-year performance, ZHDG leads with 14.91% vs 8.83% for JEPI. On fees, JEPI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, JEPI has been the lower-risk option at 1.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ZHDG or JEPI?

Over the 3-year period, ZHDG has performed better with a 14.91% return vs 8.83%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZHDG or JEPI?

JEPI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for ZHDG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ZHDG or JEPI?

JEPI has the higher dividend yield at 8.28%, compared with 2.43% for ZHDG.

What is the main difference between ZHDG and JEPI?

ZHDG is categorized as Derivative Income, while JEPI is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: ZEGA and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for ZHDG and 0.35% for JEPI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZHDG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.99), 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.