HCRB vs. SPAB
HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and SPAB (SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while SPAB is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. HCRB is actively managed, while SPAB is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HCRB returned 0.12%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SPAB. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for SPAB.
Performance
HCRB vs. SPAB - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HCRB achieves a 0.55% return, which is significantly higher than SPAB's 0.49% return.
HCRB
- 1D
- 0.17%
- 1M
- 0.86%
- YTD
- 0.55%
- 6M
- 0.65%
- 1Y
- 4.51%
- 3Y*
- 4.46%
- 5Y*
- 0.12%
- 10Y*
- —
SPAB
- 1D
- 0.08%
- 1M
- 0.66%
- YTD
- 0.49%
- 6M
- 0.57%
- 1Y
- 4.29%
- 3Y*
- 3.97%
- 5Y*
- 0.04%
- 10Y*
- 1.51%
HCRB vs. SPAB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF | 0.55% | 7.06% | 2.23% | 6.98% | -14.61% | -1.79% | 6.87% |
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 0.49% | 7.25% | 1.25% | 5.56% | -13.04% | -1.77% | 5.21% |
Correlation
The correlation between HCRB and SPAB is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
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 20, 2020 | 0.94 |
The correlation between HCRB and SPAB 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. SPAB — Risk / Return Rank
HCRB
SPAB
HCRB vs. SPAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB). 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 | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.20 | +0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.61 | 1.57 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.58 | 4.39 | +0.19 |
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Drawdowns
HCRB vs. SPAB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, which is greater than SPAB's maximum drawdown of -18.56%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and SPAB.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HCRB | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.90% | -18.56% | -1.34% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -2.74% | -0.08% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.18% | -6.08% | -0.10% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.42% | -17.96% | -1.46% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.56% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.49% | -2.07% | +0.58% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.97% | -3.08% | -3.89% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.99% | 0.98% | +0.01% |
Volatility
HCRB vs. SPAB - Volatility Comparison
Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF (SPAB) have volatilities of 1.10% and 1.09%, 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 | SPAB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.10% | 1.09% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.79% | 2.69% | +0.10% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.75% | 3.73% | +0.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.13% | 5.93% | +0.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.94% | 5.55% | +0.39% |
HCRB vs. SPAB - Expense Ratio Comparison
HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SPAB's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
HCRB vs. SPAB - Dividend Comparison
HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, more than SPAB's 4.04% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF | 4.17% | 4.12% | 4.15% | 3.39% | 2.18% | 1.47% | 1.81% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
SPAB SPDR Portfolio Aggregate Bond ETF | 4.04% | 3.97% | 3.86% | 3.34% | 2.59% | 2.11% | 2.43% | 2.92% | 2.96% | 2.67% | 2.63% | 2.59% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.96, HCRB and SPAB 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 (1.10%) compared to SPAB (1.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs SPAB's -18.56%.
On 5-year performance, HCRB leads with 0.12% vs 0.04% for SPAB. On fees, SPAB 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 0.12% return vs 0.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SPAB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HCRB.
HCRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.17%, compared with 4.04% for SPAB.
HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while SPAB is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.03% for SPAB.
HCRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.21 vs 1.16), 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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