LGDX vs ZHDG
Intech S&P Large Cap Diversified Alpha ETF vs ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF
Which is better, LGDX or ZHDG?
Nearly the same fund. LGDX costs less.
LGDX has a lower expense ratio. LGDX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | LGDX | ZHDG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $147M | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.47% | 2.42% |
| Holdings | 590 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +11.53%Best | +6.90% |
| 1Y Return | +14.44%Best | +8.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.14% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +6.03% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5% | 11.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -15.8% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $12,640Best | $12,065 |
| Fund Family | Intech ETF | Zega ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | Jul 6, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 28, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
LGDX vs ZHDG 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
LGDX vs ZHDG Performance
Intech S&P Large Cap Diversified Alpha ETF (LGDX) is an ETF from Intech ETF and ZEGA Buy and Hedge ETF (ZHDG) is an ETF from Zega ETFs. Over the past year LGDX returned +14.44% while ZHDG returned +8.99%. Year to date, LGDX is up 11.53% versus a gain of 6.90% for ZHDG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
LGDX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.5% compared with 11.1% for ZHDG. 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 -15.8% for LGDX and -8.9% for ZHDG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LGDX charges 0.25% per year while ZHDG charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $95 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LGDX currently yields 0.47% against 2.42% for ZHDG.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.7% of LGDX's money is in holdings ZHDG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ZHDG, our book for it covers 8.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 295 positions we hold weights for in LGDX and 2 in ZHDG, against full books of 590 and 28.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in LGDX | Weight in ZHDG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGXXXFirst American Government Obligations Fund | 0.71% | 3.19% | 2.48% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LGDX and ZHDG 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, LGDX or ZHDG?
LGDX has an expense ratio of 0.25% while ZHDG charges 0.95%. LGDX is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, LGDX or ZHDG?
Over the past year LGDX returned +14.44% vs +8.99% for ZHDG, so LGDX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), LGDX annualized +15.77% vs +12.45% for ZHDG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, LGDX or ZHDG?
LGDX has been the more volatile fund at 12.5% annualized versus 11.1% for ZHDG. Worst drawdown: LGDX -15.8% vs ZHDG -8.9%.
Should I hold both LGDX and ZHDG?
LGDX and ZHDG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, LGDX or ZHDG?
LGDX yields 0.47% while ZHDG yields 2.42%, so ZHDG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZHDG better than LGDX?
LGDX has a lower expense ratio. LGDX led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.