HCRB vs. NEAR
HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and NEAR (iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while NEAR is a Short-Term Bond fund actively managed by iShares. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, HCRB returned 0.10%/yr vs 3.84%/yr for NEAR. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for NEAR.
Performance
HCRB vs. NEAR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HCRB achieves a 0.38% return, which is significantly lower than NEAR's 0.63% return.
HCRB
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- 0.69%
- YTD
- 0.38%
- 6M
- 0.48%
- 1Y
- 4.55%
- 3Y*
- 4.40%
- 5Y*
- 0.10%
- 10Y*
- —
NEAR
- 1D
- -0.10%
- 1M
- 0.11%
- YTD
- 0.63%
- 6M
- 0.83%
- 1Y
- 3.79%
- 3Y*
- 5.48%
- 5Y*
- 3.84%
- 10Y*
- 2.84%
HCRB vs. NEAR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF | 0.38% | 7.06% | 2.23% | 6.98% | -14.61% | -1.79% | 6.87% |
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 0.63% | 5.90% | 5.09% | 7.42% | 0.41% | 0.32% | 0.99% |
Correlation
The correlation between HCRB and NEAR is 0.80, 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 | 0.80 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.71 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.61 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 20, 2020 | 0.55 |
Over the past year, HCRB and NEAR have become more correlated (0.80) than their long-term average of 0.55, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HCRB vs. NEAR — Risk / Return Rank
HCRB
NEAR
HCRB vs. NEAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| HCRB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.53 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.56 | -0.34 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.62 | 3.36 | -1.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.64 | 15.26 | -10.62 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
HCRB vs. NEAR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, which is greater than NEAR's maximum drawdown of -9.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and NEAR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HCRB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -9.61% | -10.29% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -1.13% | -1.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -1.16% | -5.02% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -1.32% | -18.10% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -9.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.66% | -0.24% | -1.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.97% | -0.16% | -6.81% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.98% | 0.25% | +0.73% |
Volatility
HCRB vs. NEAR - Volatility Comparison
Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) has a higher volatility of 1.09% compared to iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (NEAR) at 0.48%. This indicates that HCRB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HCRB | NEAR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.09% | 0.48% | +0.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 1.06% | +1.73% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 1.39% | +2.36% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.13% | 1.35% | +4.78% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.94% | 2.50% | +3.44% |
HCRB vs. NEAR - Expense Ratio Comparison
HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than NEAR's 0.25% expense ratio.
Dividends
HCRB vs. NEAR - Dividend Comparison
HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, less than NEAR's 4.44% 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% |
NEAR iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF | 4.44% | 4.54% | 5.00% | 4.59% | 1.78% | 0.76% | 1.53% | 2.69% | 2.25% | 1.52% | 1.07% | 0.85% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HCRB and NEAR have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HCRB has higher volatility (1.09%) compared to NEAR (0.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs NEAR's -9.61%.
On 5-year performance, NEAR leads with 3.84% vs 0.10% for HCRB. On fees, NEAR is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, NEAR has been the lower-risk option at 0.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, NEAR has performed better with a 3.84% return vs 0.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
NEAR is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HCRB.
NEAR has the higher dividend yield at 4.44%, compared with 4.18% for HCRB.
HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while NEAR is Short-Term Bond. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.25% for NEAR.
NEAR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.22), 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.
Find the right allocation for HCRB and NEAR
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer