HCRB vs. HFSI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and HFSI (Hartford Strategic Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while HFSI is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Hartford. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, HCRB returned 4.50%/yr vs 8.44%/yr for HFSI. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HFSI.

Performance

HCRB vs. HFSI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HCRB achieves a 0.41% return, which is significantly lower than HFSI's 1.58% return.

HCRB

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 0.41%
• 6M: 0.45%
• 1Y: 5.49%
• 3Y*: 4.50%
• 5Y*: 0.25%
• 10Y*: —

HFSI

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.58%
• 6M: 1.85%
• 1Y: 8.71%
• 3Y*: 8.44%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HCRB vs. HFSI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	0.41%	7.06%	2.23%	6.98%	-14.61%	-1.24%
HFSI Hartford Strategic Income ETF	1.58%	9.56%	7.91%	9.91%	-12.60%	-1.57%

Correlation

The correlation between HCRB and HFSI is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2021	0.82

The correlation between HCRB and HFSI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HCRB vs. HFSI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HCRB

HCRB Risk / Return Rank: 39
HCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
HCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
HCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 39
HCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 35

HFSI

HFSI Risk / Return Rank: 70
HFSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
HFSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
HFSI Omega Ratio Rank: 79
HFSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
HFSI Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

HCRB vs. HFSI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI). 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	HFSI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	2.44	-1.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.67	-1.52
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.48	-0.22
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.80	-0.95
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.66	11.24	-5.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HCRB vs. HFSI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is lower than the HFSI Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCRB and HFSI, 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

	HCRB	HFSI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	2.44	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.56	-0.42

Drawdowns

HCRB vs. HFSI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, roughly equal to the maximum HFSI drawdown of -19.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and HFSI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCRB	HFSI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.90%	-19.34%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-3.06%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.18%	-5.11%	-1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.63%	0.00%	-1.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-5.73%	-1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.76%	+0.16%

Volatility

HCRB vs. HFSI - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) has a higher volatility of 1.30% compared to Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) at 1.13%. This indicates that HCRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HFSI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HCRB	HFSI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.30%	1.13%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.71%	2.53%	+0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	3.58%	+0.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.13%	4.97%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.96%	4.97%	+0.99%

HCRB vs. HFSI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than HFSI's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCRB vs. HFSI - Dividend Comparison

HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, less than HFSI's 5.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	4.18%	4.12%	4.15%	3.39%	2.18%	1.47%	1.81%
HFSI Hartford Strategic Income ETF	5.53%	5.67%	6.51%	5.77%	4.87%	0.71%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCRB and HFSI in my portfolio?

HCRB and HFSI have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HCRB or HFSI?

HCRB has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to HFSI (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs HFSI's -19.34%.

Which ETF is better, HCRB or HFSI?

On 3-year performance, HFSI leads with 8.44% vs 4.50% for HCRB. On fees, HCRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, HFSI has been the lower-risk option at 1.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HCRB or HFSI?

Over the 3-year period, HFSI has performed better with a 8.44% return vs 4.50%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HCRB or HFSI?

HCRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HFSI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HCRB or HFSI?

HFSI has the higher dividend yield at 5.53%, compared with 4.18% for HCRB.

What is the main difference between HCRB and HFSI?

HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while HFSI is Multisector Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.49% for HFSI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 vs 1.45), 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.