HFGO vs. ILCB

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HFGO (Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF) and ILCB (iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. HFGO is actively managed, while ILCB is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HFGO returned 23.40%/yr vs 21.04%/yr for ILCB. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HFGO charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ILCB.

Performance

HFGO vs. ILCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). 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 ILCB's 8.52% return.

HFGO

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

ILCB

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: -1.01%
• YTD: 8.52%
• 6M: 7.55%
• 1Y: 23.81%
• 3Y*: 21.04%
• 5Y*: 12.58%
• 10Y*: 14.97%

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

HFGO vs. ILCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HFGO Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF	4.25%	15.52%	40.73%	42.45%	-36.69%	-6.95%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	8.52%	17.70%	24.96%	26.91%	-19.48%	0.91%

Correlation

The correlation between HFGO and ILCB 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	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2021	0.91

The correlation between HFGO and ILCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

HFGO vs. ILCB - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HFGO	ILCB
Technology	55.3%	38.9%
Communication Services	19.7%	9.9%
Consumer Cyclical	11.8%	9.3%
Healthcare	7.2%	8.4%
Industrials	3.6%	8.4%
Financial Services	2.0%	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	4.5%
Energy	0.5%	3.1%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Real Estate	-	1.7%
Utilities	-	2.6%

Return for Risk

HFGO vs. ILCB — 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

ILCB

ILCB Risk / Return Rank: 60
ILCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ILCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
ILCB Omega Ratio Rank: 59
ILCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ILCB Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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. ILCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) and iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB). 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	ILCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	1.89	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	2.59	-1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.34	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	2.63	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.50	11.66	-8.16

HFGO vs. ILCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the ILCB Sharpe Ratio of 1.89. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFGO and ILCB, 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. ILCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFGO drawdown since its inception was -44.64%, smaller than the maximum ILCB drawdown of -51.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFGO and ILCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFGO	ILCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-44.64%	-51.53%	+6.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.29%	-9.09%	-9.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.19%	-19.05%	-6.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.47%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.30%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.83%	-3.00%	-4.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.98%	-6.23%	-9.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.82%	2.05%	+3.77%

Volatility

HFGO vs. ILCB - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) has a higher volatility of 8.43% compared to iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF (ILCB) at 4.82%. This indicates that HFGO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ILCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFGO	ILCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.43%	4.82%	+3.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.45%	9.99%	+5.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.44%	12.66%	+6.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.01%	17.23%	+8.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.01%	18.20%	+7.81%

HFGO vs. ILCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFGO has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than ILCB's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HFGO vs. ILCB - Dividend Comparison

HFGO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ILCB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HFGO Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ILCB iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity ETF	1.00%	1.11%	1.19%	1.43%	1.65%	1.16%	1.26%	2.25%	2.17%	1.81%	1.97%	2.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFGO and ILCB in my portfolio?

HFGO and ILCB 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, HFGO or ILCB?

HFGO has higher volatility (8.43%) compared to ILCB (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFGO dropped -44.64% vs ILCB's -51.53%.

Which ETF is better, HFGO or ILCB?

On 3-year performance, HFGO leads with 23.40% vs 21.04% for ILCB. On fees, ILCB is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ILCB has been the lower-risk option at 4.82%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HFGO or ILCB?

Over the 3-year period, HFGO has performed better with a 23.40% return vs 21.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFGO or ILCB?

ILCB is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for HFGO.

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

ILCB has the higher dividend yield at 1.00%, compared with 0.00% for HFGO.

What is the main difference between HFGO and ILCB?

They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for HFGO and 0.03% for ILCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ILCB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 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.