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What Is the HELS ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings and Alternative ETFs

Updated August 17, 2026 · First published August 17, 2026

The Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF is an actively managed product that uses long/short strategies in US stocks. When reviewing the HELS ETF's distribution frequency, management fee, risks from short selling, and differences from similar hedged products, it is important to understand its management structure and how it responds to market volatility.

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What Is the Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF?

The Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF pursues an active strategy that uses both long positions and short selling in US stocks. It maintains exposure to the overall market while interpreting changes in company fundamentals, technical signals, and the macro environment together.

It suits investors who see long-term growth potential in US stocks but understand the volatility that comes with active management and short selling, rather than simply tracking an index.

It is an actively managed ETF run by Hedgeye Asset Management.

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How Do You Invest in the Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF?

ItemDetails
Tracked IndexNot applicable, active strategy
Management StyleActive
Rebalancing FrequencyAdjusted at the manager's discretion
Distribution FrequencyAnnual distribution
Total Expense Ratio0.70%
ManagerHedgeye Asset Management

This strategy runs long positions in stocks judged likely to rise alongside short positions in stocks seen as prone to weakness, reflecting a broader range of views in the portfolio than a traditional long-only approach. The manager adjusts positions by combining company analysis, technical signals, proprietary models, and a macro perspective.

  • A structure that reflects both long and short views
  • Active management that combines company analysis with macro judgment
  • An approach that considers market direction and stock selection together
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Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)

Assets under management (AUM) stand at $15.9M, and the total expense ratio is 0.70% per year.

An active long/short structure can produce a different performance path from index-tracking products. Costs, trading conditions, and the extent of short selling should be checked together through official materials.

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Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF Performance and Trends

1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
Dividend Yield 0.02%
Annual Dividend (TTM) $0.01
Next Ex-Dividend Date 12/30/2025
52-Week Price Range
$24
Low $22 High $26
vs. low +5.76% vs. high -10.3%

Performance is shaped by both long stock selection and short selling decisions, so it may differ from the broader stock market. Even while maintaining exposure to market direction, volatility can increase if individual company calls prove wrong, and differences in management skill can show up in both rising and falling markets.

Fund flows can be affected not only by the overall equity market environment but also by preference for active management, understanding of short-selling strategies, cost burden, and trading conditions. Rather than judging the structure on short-term performance alone, it is worth examining how combining long and short positions affects expected returns and risk.

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Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF Pros and Cons

The flexibility of using two-way stock views is a strength, but the complexity of short selling and active management is a separate risk factor.

💪 Key Strengths

Two-Way Views
The portfolio reflects different views on stocks with high upside potential and stocks expected to weaken.
Active Stock Selection
It uses a management approach that examines company-specific drivers, technical signals, and the macro environment together.
Maintained Market Exposure
It keeps exposure to market direction while also reflecting the impact of stock-level decisions.

⚠️ Points to Watch

Potential Short-Selling Losses
If shorted stocks move against expectations, losses can widen, making the structure more complex than a simple long-only product.
Manager Judgment Variance
If company analysis and macro interpretation play out differently from market outcomes, performance may diverge from the index.
Costs and Trading Conditions
Fees and trading conditions differ among similar ETFs, so current data should be checked before holding for the long term.
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Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF Alternatives and Related Products

The HELO ETF in the comparison table uses a hedge overlay, which differs from the HELS ETF in its approach to defensive design. The CBOX ETF focuses on collateral management and tax considerations, while the FHEQ ETF offers hedged equity exposure. The INFO ETF uses a dynamic large-cap core strategy and the SFTY ETF uses a managed-risk approach, so each product differs in its objective and risk management method. Differences in fees and trading conditions should also be checked.

Peer Comparison ETFs
TickerNamePriceChangeAUMTotal Expense RatioDividend Yield1Y
HELOHELOJPMorgan Hedged Equity Laddered Overlay ETF$69.25+0.6%$4.9B0.50%0.57%+5.6%
CBOXCBOXCalamos Tax-Aware Collateral ETF$102.21+0.0%$1.8B0.14%--
FHEQFHEQFidelity Hedged Equity ETF$33.47+0.4%$998.1M0.48%0.59%+8.5%
INFOINFOHarbor PanAgora Dynamic Large Cap Core ETF$28.13+0.8%$942.3M0.35%0.31%+16.1%
SFTYSFTYHorizon Managed Risk ETF$31.72+0.7%$802.2M0.77%0.17%+13.6%
Top Holdings
TickerNameWeightPriceChangeMarket CapP/EDividend Yield
FAFFAFFirst American Financial Corp0.10%$64.02-1.1%$6.5B9.03.62%
VVisa Inc0.03%$404.16-0.9%$754.6B34.70.67%
STTState Street Corp0.03%$169.94+1.3%$46.4B13.92.07%
XOMExxonMobil Holdings Corp0.03%$184.54+0.7%$758.8B23.82.25%
DUKDuke Energy Corp0.03%$124.44-0.4%$97.0B18.73.5%
JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co0.03%$334.04+0.7%$887.9B14.01.91%
CSXCSX Corp0.03%$51.31+1.0%$94.6B26.61.1%
LLYLilly(Eli) & Co0.03%$1279.14+0.5%$1.20T43.50.53%
PMPhilip Morris International Inc0.02%$201.87+1.2%$314.6B29.53.01%
UNHUnitedhealth Group Inc0.02%$410.70-1.8%$368.6B23.42.19%
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Hedgeye 130/30 Equity ETF Investor Checkpoints

Before investing in the HELS ETF, you should first understand its use of short selling, which sets it apart from traditional long-only products. You need to confirm whether the product's goal is to track the market or to pursue stock selection and risk management, and whether its costs and distribution policy fit your own investment plan.

CheckpointWhat to CheckCurrent Status
Management StyleStructure combining long positions and short sellingActive management
Short-Selling RiskPotential losses when bearish calls prove wrongNeeds review
Total Expense RatioCost burden over a long holding periodCheck official materials
Distribution PolicyCash distribution frequency and reinvestment planAnnual distribution

Short selling can create greater loss pressure when a stock rises against expectations, and together with errors in long stock selection it can raise portfolio volatility. Because an active strategy does not simply follow the market, it can show a different performance path from ordinary index products, and costs and trading conditions can also affect the return experience.

The HELS ETF is an actively managed product for those who want to participate in the long-term growth of US stocks while also using stock-level bullish and bearish judgments. Because its management structure is more complex than simple market tracking, an investor should understand the short-selling risk and cost burden, then examine how it differs from the hedged, collateral-based, large-cap core, and risk-managed products in the comparison table.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.

This article reflects information as of August 17, 2026.

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