HCRB vs. IUSB
HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and IUSB (iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while IUSB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index. HCRB is actively managed, while IUSB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HCRB returned 0.25%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for IUSB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IUSB.
Performance
HCRB vs. IUSB - 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 IUSB's 0.60% return.
HCRB
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.19%
- YTD
- 0.41%
- 6M
- 0.45%
- 1Y
- 5.49%
- 3Y*
- 4.50%
- 5Y*
- 0.25%
- 10Y*
- —
IUSB
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- 0.18%
- YTD
- 0.60%
- 6M
- 0.66%
- 1Y
- 5.68%
- 3Y*
- 4.57%
- 5Y*
- 0.55%
- 10Y*
- 1.96%
HCRB vs. IUSB - 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% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 0.60% | 7.38% | 2.11% | 6.23% | -13.04% | -1.33% | 5.34% |
Correlation
The correlation between HCRB and IUSB 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 | 0.97 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2020 | 0.94 |
The correlation between HCRB and IUSB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
HCRB vs. IUSB — Risk / Return Rank
HCRB
IUSB
HCRB vs. IUSB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB). 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 | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 1.45 | 1.58 | -0.13 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 2.16 | 2.36 | -0.21 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.26 | 1.28 | -0.02 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.85 | 2.13 | -0.28 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.66 | 6.52 | -0.86 |
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 | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.45 | 1.58 | -0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.04 | 0.09 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.39 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.14 | 0.46 | -0.32 |
Drawdowns
HCRB vs. IUSB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, which is greater than IUSB's maximum drawdown of -17.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and IUSB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HCRB | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -17.90% | -2.00% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -2.53% | -0.29% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -5.82% | -0.36% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -17.87% | -1.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -17.90% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.63% | -1.15% | -0.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.02% | -3.59% | -3.43% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.92% | 0.83% | +0.09% |
Volatility
HCRB vs. IUSB - Volatility Comparison
Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (IUSB) have volatilities of 1.30% and 1.27%, 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 | IUSB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.30% | 1.27% | +0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.71% | 2.64% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.82% | 3.62% | +0.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.13% | 5.79% | +0.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.96% | 5.04% | +0.92% |
HCRB vs. IUSB - Expense Ratio Comparison
HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than IUSB's 0.06% expense ratio.
Dividends
HCRB vs. IUSB - Dividend Comparison
HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, which matches IUSB's 4.22% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
IUSB iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF | 4.22% | 4.17% | 4.04% | 3.46% | 2.53% | 1.74% | 2.68% | 3.04% | 2.98% | 2.56% | 2.60% | 1.95% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, HCRB and IUSB 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.
HCRB has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to IUSB (1.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs IUSB's -17.90%.
On 5-year performance, IUSB leads with 0.55% vs 0.25% for HCRB. On fees, IUSB is cheaper at 0.06% 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, IUSB has performed better with a 0.55% return vs 0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IUSB is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HCRB.
IUSB has the higher dividend yield at 4.22%, compared with 4.18% for HCRB.
HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while IUSB is Intermediate Core-Plus Bond. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.06% for IUSB.
IUSB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 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.
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