HFSI vs. HCRB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HFSI (Hartford Strategic Income ETF) and HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HFSI is a Multisector Bonds fund actively managed by Hartford, while HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, HFSI returned 8.37%/yr vs 4.42%/yr for HCRB. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HFSI charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for HCRB.

Performance

HFSI vs. HCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HFSI achieves a 1.38% return, which is significantly higher than HCRB's 0.18% return.

HFSI

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.38%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 8.47%
• 3Y*: 8.37%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

HCRB

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.07%
• 1Y: 5.27%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 0.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

HFSI vs. HCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HFSI Hartford Strategic Income ETF	1.38%	9.56%	7.91%	9.91%	-12.60%	-1.57%
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	0.18%	7.06%	2.23%	6.98%	-14.61%	-1.24%

Correlation

The correlation between HFSI and HCRB is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2021	0.82

The correlation between HFSI and HCRB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HFSI vs. HCRB — Risk / Return Rank

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

HFSI

HFSI Risk / Return Rank: 68
HFSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
HFSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
HFSI Omega Ratio Rank: 76
HFSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
HFSI Martin Ratio Rank: 61

HCRB

HCRB Risk / Return Rank: 38
HCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
HCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 37
HCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
HCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

HFSI vs. HCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). 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.

	HFSI	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	1.39	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.57	2.07	+1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.25	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	1.88	+0.90
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.13	5.68	+5.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HFSI vs. HCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HFSI Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is higher than the HCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HFSI and HCRB, 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

	HFSI	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.37	1.39	+0.99
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.13	+0.41

Drawdowns

HFSI vs. HCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HFSI drawdown since its inception was -19.34%, roughly equal to the maximum HCRB drawdown of -19.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HFSI and HCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HFSI	HCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.34%	-19.90%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.06%	-2.82%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.11%	-6.18%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.86%	+1.66%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.72%	-7.02%	+1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.76%	0.93%	-0.17%

Volatility

HFSI vs. HCRB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is 1.13%, while Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) has a volatility of 1.30%. This indicates that HFSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HFSI	HCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.13%	1.30%	-0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.52%	2.70%	-0.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58%	3.81%	-0.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.97%	6.13%	-1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.97%	5.96%	-0.99%

HFSI vs. HCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HFSI has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than HCRB's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

HFSI vs. HCRB - Dividend Comparison

HFSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.54%, more than HCRB's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	4.19%	4.12%	4.15%	3.39%	2.18%	1.47%	1.81%
HFSI Hartford Strategic Income ETF	5.54%	5.67%	6.51%	5.77%	4.87%	0.71%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HFSI and HCRB in my portfolio?

HFSI and HCRB have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HFSI or HCRB?

HCRB has higher volatility (1.30%) compared to HFSI (1.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HFSI dropped -19.34% vs HCRB's -19.90%.

Which ETF is better, HFSI or HCRB?

On 3-year performance, HFSI leads with 8.37% vs 4.42% for HCRB. On fees, HCRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, HFSI 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, HFSI or HCRB?

Over the 3-year period, HFSI has performed better with a 8.37% return vs 4.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HFSI or HCRB?

HCRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HFSI.

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

HFSI has the higher dividend yield at 5.54%, compared with 4.19% for HCRB.

What is the main difference between HFSI and HCRB?

HFSI is categorized as Multisector Bonds, while HCRB is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for HFSI and 0.29% for HCRB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HFSI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 1.39), 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.