HCKAX vs. HSNIX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HCKAX (Hartford Checks and Balances Fund) and HSNIX (The Hartford Strategic Income Fund) are both mutual funds - HCKAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Hartford, while HSNIX is a Multisector Bonds fund managed by Hartford. Over the past 10 years, HCKAX returned 9.16%/yr vs 4.48%/yr for HSNIX. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HCKAX charges 0.37%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for HSNIX.

Performance

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Checks and Balances Fund (HCKAX) and The Hartford Strategic Income Fund (HSNIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HCKAX achieves a 6.47% return, which is significantly higher than HSNIX's 1.20% return. Over the past 10 years, HCKAX has outperformed HSNIX with an annualized return of 9.16%, while HSNIX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.48% annualized return.

HCKAX

• 1D: 0.18%
• 1M: 3.48%
• YTD: 6.47%
• 6M: 6.47%
• 1Y: 17.41%
• 3Y*: 12.95%
• 5Y*: 6.92%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

HSNIX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 1.04%
• YTD: 1.20%
• 6M: 1.45%
• 1Y: 8.39%
• 3Y*: 7.30%
• 5Y*: 2.18%
• 10Y*: 4.48%

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

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HCKAX Hartford Checks and Balances Fund	6.47%	11.51%	12.99%	13.00%	-13.28%	14.28%	13.06%	22.40%	-3.65%	14.54%
HSNIX The Hartford Strategic Income Fund	1.20%	8.00%	6.81%	9.40%	-12.77%	0.17%	12.54%	11.94%	-1.57%	8.92%

Correlation

The correlation between HCKAX and HSNIX is 0.56, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 1, 2007	0.25

Over the past year, HCKAX and HSNIX have become more correlated (0.56) than their long-term average of 0.25, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

HCKAX vs. HSNIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HCKAX

HCKAX Risk / Return Rank: 58
HCKAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
HCKAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
HCKAX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
HCKAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
HCKAX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

HSNIX

HSNIX Risk / Return Rank: 66
HSNIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
HSNIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HSNIX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
HSNIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
HSNIX Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Checks and Balances Fund (HCKAX) and The Hartford Strategic Income Fund (HSNIX). 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.

	HCKAX	HSNIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.51	-0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.23	3.69	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.51	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	2.56	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.51	10.67	+1.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCKAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the HSNIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCKAX and HSNIX, 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

	HCKAX	HSNIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	2.51	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.46	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79	0.98	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.96	-0.41

Drawdowns

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCKAX drawdown since its inception was -41.69%, which is greater than HSNIX's maximum drawdown of -23.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCKAX and HSNIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCKAX	HSNIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-23.39%	-18.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.45%	-3.35%	-3.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.07%	-5.13%	-5.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.29%	-19.44%	-0.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.91%	-19.44%	-7.47%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.20%	+0.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-3.13%	-2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.42%	0.80%	+0.62%

Volatility

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Checks and Balances Fund (HCKAX) has a higher volatility of 2.07% compared to The Hartford Strategic Income Fund (HSNIX) at 1.21%. This indicates that HCKAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HSNIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HCKAX	HSNIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.07%	1.21%	+0.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.14%	2.63%	+3.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.95%	3.41%	+4.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.76%	4.72%	+6.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.57%	4.60%	+6.97%

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCKAX has a 0.37% expense ratio, which is lower than HSNIX's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCKAX vs. HSNIX - Dividend Comparison

HCKAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.97%, more than HSNIX's 6.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HCKAX Hartford Checks and Balances Fund	6.97%	7.43%	5.85%	4.57%	8.94%	6.33%	4.41%	7.45%	10.66%	13.93%	8.70%	12.58%
HSNIX The Hartford Strategic Income Fund	6.21%	5.29%	5.31%	5.87%	4.73%	4.40%	4.09%	4.32%	6.82%	6.21%	5.00%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCKAX and HSNIX in my portfolio?

HCKAX and HSNIX have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCKAX or HSNIX?

HCKAX has higher volatility (2.07%) compared to HSNIX (1.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCKAX dropped -41.69% vs HSNIX's -23.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSNIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 2.24), 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.