HBLYX vs. DIFIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HBLYX (The Hartford Balanced Income Fund) and DIFIX (MFS Diversified Income Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX returned 6.77%/yr vs 4.90%/yr for DIFIX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HBLYX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.73%/yr for DIFIX.

Performance

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and MFS Diversified Income Fund (DIFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HBLYX achieves a 2.70% return, which is significantly lower than DIFIX's 4.93% return. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX has outperformed DIFIX with an annualized return of 6.77%, while DIFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.90% annualized return.

HBLYX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 2.70%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 10.40%
• 3Y*: 9.67%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

DIFIX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.06%
• YTD: 4.93%
• 6M: 5.25%
• 1Y: 11.71%
• 3Y*: 8.57%
• 5Y*: 3.27%
• 10Y*: 4.90%

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

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	2.70%	10.03%	9.00%	7.95%	-8.18%	10.01%	7.73%	19.36%	-4.82%	11.78%
DIFIX MFS Diversified Income Fund	4.93%	9.73%	4.60%	8.84%	-13.55%	9.26%	2.17%	17.69%	-3.41%	8.94%

Correlation

The correlation between HBLYX and DIFIX is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2006	0.84

The correlation between HBLYX and DIFIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HBLYX vs. DIFIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HBLYX

HBLYX Risk / Return Rank: 36
HBLYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
HBLYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
HBLYX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HBLYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
HBLYX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

DIFIX

DIFIX Risk / Return Rank: 61
DIFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
DIFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
DIFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
DIFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
DIFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

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.

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and MFS Diversified Income Fund (DIFIX). 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.

	HBLYX	DIFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.36	-0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	3.47	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.46	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	2.62	-0.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	11.21	-4.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HBLYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is comparable to the DIFIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HBLYX and DIFIX, 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

	HBLYX	DIFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	2.36	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.48	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.65	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.66	+0.16

Drawdowns

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HBLYX drawdown since its inception was -31.36%, smaller than the maximum DIFIX drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HBLYX and DIFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HBLYX	DIFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.36%	-35.04%	+3.68%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-4.48%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.71%	-7.29%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.92%	-19.70%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.19%	-23.69%	+0.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-0.04%	-1.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.10%	-3.86%	+0.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	1.05%	+0.46%

Volatility

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Volatility Comparison

The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and MFS Diversified Income Fund (DIFIX) have volatilities of 1.62% and 1.62%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HBLYX	DIFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.62%	1.62%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.50%	3.85%	+0.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83%	4.99%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.96%	6.84%	+1.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.39%	7.51%	+0.88%

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HBLYX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is lower than DIFIX's 0.73% expense ratio.

Dividends

HBLYX vs. DIFIX - Dividend Comparison

HBLYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.79%, more than DIFIX's 5.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DIFIX MFS Diversified Income Fund	5.73%	5.62%	3.86%	3.12%	3.99%	4.95%	2.83%	3.13%	4.39%	3.79%	3.76%	7.57%
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	6.79%	6.97%	9.70%	3.44%	6.90%	7.00%	2.83%	3.49%	7.25%	5.58%	3.89%	4.54%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HBLYX and DIFIX in my portfolio?

HBLYX and DIFIX have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HBLYX or DIFIX?

DIFIX has higher volatility (1.62%) compared to HBLYX (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HBLYX dropped -31.36% vs DIFIX's -35.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DIFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.86), 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.