HELS vs SPY

HELS vs SPY
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Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: TiedMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHELSSPYWinner
Expense Ratio0.70%0.09%
AUM$22M$821.1B
Dividend Yield0.02%1.01%
Holdings51505
YTD Return-3.79%+12.22%
1Y Return-+20.83%
3Y Return (annualized)-+21.70%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.98%
Volatility (annualized)-15.3%
Max Drawdown-13.6%-56.5%
Fund FamilyHedgeye Asset ManagementState Street Investment Management
CategoryEquityEquity
InceptionDec 10, 2025Jan 22, 1993

HELS vs SPY Performance

Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF (HELS) is a ETF from Hedgeye Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, HELS is down 3.79% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -13.6% for HELS and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

Fees and Cost Over Time

HELS charges 0.70% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $9 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HELS currently yields 0.02% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

38.7%overlap

HELS and SPY share 36 holdings out of 516 unique holdings combined, representing a 38.7% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in HELSWeight in SPYDifference
AAPL9.50%6.83%2.67%
NVDA6.67%7.71%1.04%
MSFT3.09%5.50%2.41%
AMZNProProPro
GOOGLProProPro
LLYProProPro
JPMProProPro
AMDProProPro
VProProPro
GEProProPro
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, HELS or SPY?

HELS has an expense ratio of 0.70% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $61 per year of difference.

What is the holdings overlap between HELS and SPY?

HELS and SPY share 36 common holdings with a 38.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 516 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, HELS or SPY?

HELS yields 0.02% while SPY yields 1.01%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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