HCRB vs. UCON

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) and UCON (First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while UCON is a Nontraditional Bonds fund actively managed by First Trust. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, HCRB returned 0.25%/yr vs 2.82%/yr for UCON. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HCRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for UCON.

Performance

HCRB vs. UCON - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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 UCON's 0.83% return.

HCRB

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

UCON

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 0.42%
• YTD: 0.83%
• 6M: 1.07%
• 1Y: 5.80%
• 3Y*: 5.77%
• 5Y*: 2.82%
• 10Y*: —

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

HCRB vs. UCON - 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%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	0.83%	7.00%	4.69%	7.72%	-5.72%	1.02%	5.62%

Correlation

The correlation between HCRB and UCON is 0.89, 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	0.89
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 21, 2020	0.58

Over the past year, HCRB and UCON have become more correlated (0.89) than their long-term average of 0.58, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

HCRB vs. UCON — 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

UCON

UCON Risk / Return Rank: 55
UCON Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
UCON Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
UCON Omega Ratio Rank: 60
UCON Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
UCON Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. UCON - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) and First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF (UCON). 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	UCON	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.96	-0.51
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	2.81	-0.66
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.37	-0.11
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.85	2.29	-0.44
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.66	8.94	-3.28
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. UCON - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HCRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the UCON Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HCRB and UCON, 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	UCON	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.45	1.96	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.73	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.64	-0.50

Drawdowns

HCRB vs. UCON - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HCRB drawdown since its inception was -19.90%, which is greater than UCON's maximum drawdown of -15.31%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HCRB and UCON.

Drawdown Indicators

	HCRB	UCON	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.90%	-15.31%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-2.45%	-0.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.18%	-2.85%	-3.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.42%	-9.60%	-9.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.63%	-0.37%	-1.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.02%	-1.48%	-5.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.92%	0.63%	+0.29%

Volatility

HCRB vs. UCON - Volatility Comparison

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

Volatility by Period

	HCRB	UCON	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%	2.32%	+0.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.82%	2.98%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.13%	3.89%	+2.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.96%	5.89%	+0.07%

HCRB vs. UCON - Expense Ratio Comparison

HCRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than UCON's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

HCRB vs. UCON - Dividend Comparison

HCRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.18%, less than UCON's 4.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	4.18%	4.12%	4.15%	3.39%	2.18%	1.47%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%
UCON First Trust TCW Unconstrained Plus Bond ETF	4.65%	4.63%	4.95%	4.75%	3.12%	2.20%	3.14%	3.25%	1.76%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HCRB and UCON in my portfolio?

HCRB and UCON have a correlation of 0.89, 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 UCON?

HCRB has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to UCON (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HCRB dropped -19.90% vs UCON's -15.31%.

Which ETF is better, HCRB or UCON?

On 5-year performance, UCON leads with 2.82% vs 0.25% for HCRB. On fees, HCRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, UCON 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 UCON?

Over the 5-year period, UCON has performed better with a 2.82% return vs 0.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HCRB or UCON?

HCRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for UCON.

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

UCON has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 4.18% for HCRB.

What is the main difference between HCRB and UCON?

HCRB is categorized as Intermediate Core Bond, while UCON is Nontraditional Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HCRB and 0.86% for UCON.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UCON currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.96 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.