HBLYX vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HBLYX (The Hartford Balanced Income Fund) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both funds - HBLYX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Hartford, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX returned 6.77%/yr vs 9.81%/yr for QYLD. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HBLYX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

HBLYX vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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 QYLD's 7.88% return. Over the past 10 years, HBLYX has underperformed QYLD with an annualized return of 6.77%, while QYLD has yielded a comparatively higher 9.81% 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%

QYLD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 23.70%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

HBLYX vs. QYLD - 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%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.88%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-3.07%	18.79%

Correlation

The correlation between HBLYX and QYLD is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.42
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2013	0.54

The correlation between HBLYX and QYLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.54 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HBLYX vs. QYLD — 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

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 89
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.86	2.78	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	3.89	-1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.63	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	4.79	-2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.14	28.10	-20.96
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. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HBLYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.86, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HBLYX and QYLD, 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	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.86	2.78	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.58	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.63	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.59	+0.23

Drawdowns

HBLYX vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HBLYX drawdown since its inception was -31.36%, which is greater than QYLD's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HBLYX and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	HBLYX	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-31.36%	-24.75%	-6.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.59%	-4.97%	-0.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.71%	-19.06%	+11.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.92%	-24.61%	+8.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.19%	-24.75%	+1.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	-0.06%	-1.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.10%	-3.84%	+0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.51%	0.85%	+0.66%

Volatility

HBLYX vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) is 1.62%, while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a volatility of 1.84%. This indicates that HBLYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HBLYX	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.62%	1.84%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.50%	7.12%	-2.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	5.83%	8.57%	-2.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.96%	14.70%	-6.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.39%	15.49%	-7.10%

HBLYX vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

HBLYX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

HBLYX vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

HBLYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.79%, less than QYLD's 11.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.46%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HBLYX and QYLD in my portfolio?

HBLYX and QYLD have a correlation of 0.42, 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 QYLD?

QYLD has higher volatility (1.84%) compared to HBLYX (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HBLYX dropped -31.36% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 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.