HFGO vs. HQGO

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HFGO (Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF) and HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds from Hartford. HFGO is actively managed, while HQGO is passively managed. Over the past year, HFGO returned 20.30% vs 21.21% for HQGO. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HFGO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for HQGO.

Performance

HFGO vs. HQGO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HFGO achieves a 4.25% return, which is significantly lower than HQGO's 6.19% return.

HFGO

• 1D: -2.73%
• 1M: -2.99%
• YTD: 4.25%
• 6M: 2.71%
• 1Y: 20.30%
• 3Y*: 23.40%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HQGO

• 1D: -1.12%
• 1M: -1.79%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 4.98%
• 1Y: 21.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HFGO vs. HQGO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HFGO Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF	4.25%	15.52%	40.73%	4.88%
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	6.19%	15.15%	25.09%	5.10%

Correlation

The correlation between HFGO and HQGO is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2023	0.89

The correlation between HFGO and HQGO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

HFGO vs. HQGO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HFGO	HQGO
Technology	55.3%	42.1%
Communication Services	19.7%	13.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	13.5%
Healthcare	7.2%	9.2%
Industrials	3.6%	6.1%
Financial Services	2.0%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	3.9%
Energy	0.5%	3.6%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

HFGO vs. HQGO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HFGO

HFGO Risk / Return Rank: 28
HFGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
HFGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
HFGO Omega Ratio Rank: 29
HFGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
HFGO Martin Ratio Rank: 28

HQGO

HQGO Risk / Return Rank: 47
HQGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
HQGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
HQGO Omega Ratio Rank: 45
HQGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
HQGO Martin Ratio Rank: 51

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.

HFGO vs. HQGO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO). 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.

	HFGO	HQGO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.53	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.12	-0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.27	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	2.05	-0.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.50	8.12	-4.63

HFGO vs. HQGO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the HQGO Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFGO and HQGO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

HFGO vs. HQGO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFGO drawdown since its inception was -44.64%, which is greater than HQGO's maximum drawdown of -20.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFGO and HQGO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFGO	HQGO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.64%	-20.85%	-23.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.29%	-10.40%	-7.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.19%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.83%	-4.43%	-3.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.98%	-2.54%	-13.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.82%	2.62%	+3.20%

Volatility

HFGO vs. HQGO - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) has a higher volatility of 8.43% compared to Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) at 5.13%. This indicates that HFGO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HQGO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFGO	HQGO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.43%	5.13%	+3.30%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.45%	10.77%	+4.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.44%	13.97%	+5.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.01%	17.08%	+8.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.01%	17.08%	+8.93%

HFGO vs. HQGO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFGO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than HQGO's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

HFGO vs. HQGO - Dividend Comparison

HFGO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
HFGO Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	0.47%	0.51%	0.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFGO and HQGO in my portfolio?

HFGO and HQGO have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HFGO or HQGO?

HFGO has higher volatility (8.43%) compared to HQGO (5.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFGO dropped -44.64% vs HQGO's -20.85%.

Which ETF is better, HFGO or HQGO?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 21.21% vs 20.30% for HFGO. On fees, HQGO is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, HQGO has been the lower-risk option at 5.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HFGO or HQGO?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 21.21% return vs 20.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFGO or HQGO?

HQGO is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for HFGO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HFGO or HQGO?

HQGO has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.00% for HFGO.

What is the main difference between HFGO and HQGO?

Their fees differ too: 0.60% for HFGO and 0.34% for HQGO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HQGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 1.05), 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.