HFEQ vs SPY
Unlimited HFEQ Equity Long/Short ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, HFEQ or SPY?
Long-Short Strategy against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. HFEQ led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | HFEQ | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $19M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.14% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 22 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +11.06% | +12.22%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.76%Best | +16.97% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 12.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.5% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $13,013Best | $12,452 |
| Fund Family | Unlimited Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Long-Short Strategy | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 14, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.2 years).
HFEQ vs SPY growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.2 years both funds cover.
HFEQ vs SPY Performance
Unlimited HFEQ Equity Long/Short ETF (HFEQ) is an ETF from Unlimited Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year HFEQ returned +17.76% while SPY returned +16.97%. Year to date, HFEQ is up 11.06% versus a gain of 12.22% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HFEQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 12.4% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -12.5% for HFEQ and -8.9% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFEQ charges 0.96% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $9 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFEQ currently yields 9.14% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 11 holdings in HFEQ and 504 in SPY, totalling 89.5% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 11 positions we hold weights for in HFEQ and 504 in SPY, against full books of 22 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFEQ and SPY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HFEQ or SPY?
HFEQ has an expense ratio of 0.96% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFEQ or SPY?
Over the past year HFEQ returned +17.76% vs +16.97% for SPY, so HFEQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HFEQ annualized +24.54% vs +20.05% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFEQ or SPY?
HFEQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 12.4% for SPY. Worst drawdown: HFEQ -12.5% vs SPY -8.9%.
Should I hold both HFEQ and SPY?
HFEQ and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFEQ or SPY?
HFEQ yields 9.14% while SPY yields 0.98%, so HFEQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than HFEQ?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. HFEQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.