HCRB vs. AGG
HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. HCRB is actively managed, while AGG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HCRB returned 0.25%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for AGG. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for AGG.
Performance
HCRB vs. AGG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HCRB achieves a 0.41% return, which is significantly lower than AGG's 0.47% return.
HCRB
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.19%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 5.49%
- 3Y*
- 4.50%
- 5Y*
- 0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
AGG
- 1D
- 0.03%
- 1M
- 0.14%
- YTD
- 0.47%
- 6M
- 0.49%
- 1Y
- 5.29%
- 3Y*
- 4.02%
- 5Y*
- 0.23%
- 10Y*
- 1.59%
HCRB vs. AGG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF | 0.41% | 7.06% | 2.23% | 6.98% | -14.61% | -1.79% | 6.78% |
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.47% | 7.19% | 1.31% | 5.65% | -13.02% | -1.77% | 5.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between HCRB and AGG is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2020 | 0.95 |
The correlation between HCRB and AGG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
HCRB vs. AGG — Risk / Return Rank
HCRB
AGG
HCRB vs. AGG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG). 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.
| HCRB | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.45 | 1.38 | +0.06 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.16 | 2.06 | +0.10 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.25 | +0.01 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.85 | 1.81 | +0.04 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.66 | 5.61 | +0.05 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HCRB | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.45 | 1.38 | +0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.00 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.30 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.14 | 0.59 | -0.46 |
Drawdowns
HCRB vs. AGG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, which is greater than AGG's maximum drawdown of -18.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and AGG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HCRB | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -18.43% | -1.47% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -2.76% | -0.06% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -6.11% | -0.07% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -17.82% | -1.60% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.43% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.63% | -1.93% | +0.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.02% | -2.71% | -4.31% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.89% | +0.03% |
Volatility
HCRB vs. AGG - Volatility Comparison
Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) have volatilities of 1.30% and 1.32%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| HCRB | AGG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.30% | 1.32% | -0.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.71% | 2.76% | -0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.82% | 3.85% | -0.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.13% | 6.09% | +0.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.96% | 5.41% | +0.55% |
HCRB vs. AGG - Expense Ratio Comparison
HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than AGG's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
HCRB vs. AGG - Dividend Comparison
HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, more than AGG's 3.98% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | 3.98% | 3.89% | 3.74% | 3.13% | 2.39% | 1.77% | 2.14% | 2.70% | 2.72% | 2.32% | 2.39% | 2.45% |
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF | 4.18% | 4.12% | 4.15% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 1.47% | 1.81% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, HCRB and AGG move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
AGG has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to HCRB (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs AGG's -18.43%.
On 5-year performance, HCRB leads with 0.25% vs 0.23% for AGG. On fees, AGG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, HCRB has performed better with a 0.25% return vs 0.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AGG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HCRB.
HCRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.18%, compared with 3.98% for AGG.
HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while AGG is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.03% for AGG.
HCRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.45 vs 1.38), 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.
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