HGOIX vs. NUGO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HGOIX (The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I) and NUGO (Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, HGOIX returned 27.41%/yr vs 25.80%/yr for NUGO. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. HGOIX charges 0.82%/yr vs 0.56%/yr for NUGO.

Performance

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I (HGOIX) and Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HGOIX achieves a 13.28% return, which is significantly higher than NUGO's 9.96% return.

HGOIX

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 9.22%
• YTD: 13.28%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 29.64%
• 3Y*: 27.41%
• 5Y*: 11.41%
• 10Y*: 16.98%

NUGO

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 4.72%
• YTD: 9.96%
• 6M: 8.88%
• 1Y: 26.78%
• 3Y*: 25.80%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HGOIX The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I	13.28%	13.52%	42.27%	40.98%	-36.87%	-4.27%
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	9.96%	14.91%	35.95%	45.37%	-32.73%	7.78%

Correlation

The correlation between HGOIX and NUGO is 0.95, 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2021	0.95

The correlation between HGOIX and NUGO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HGOIX vs. NUGO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HGOIX

HGOIX Risk / Return Rank: 28
HGOIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
HGOIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
HGOIX Omega Ratio Rank: 30
HGOIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
HGOIX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

NUGO

NUGO Risk / Return Rank: 38
NUGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
NUGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
NUGO Omega Ratio Rank: 41
NUGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
NUGO Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I (HGOIX) and Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO). 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.

	HGOIX	NUGO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.52	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.26	2.11	+0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.26	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	1.53	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.81	4.99	+0.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HGOIX Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the NUGO Sharpe Ratio of 1.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HGOIX and NUGO, 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

	HGOIX	NUGO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.52	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.59	-0.04

Drawdowns

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HGOIX drawdown since its inception was -58.07%, which is greater than NUGO's maximum drawdown of -38.01%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HGOIX and NUGO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HGOIX	NUGO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.07%	-38.01%	-20.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.71%	-17.54%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.42%	-25.12%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.99%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.22%	-1.64%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.99%	-12.05%	+0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.28%	5.38%	-0.10%

Volatility

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Volatility Comparison

The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I (HGOIX) has a higher volatility of 5.51% compared to Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) at 4.19%. This indicates that HGOIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NUGO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HGOIX	NUGO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.51%	4.19%	+1.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.58%	13.35%	+1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.69%	17.70%	+0.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.13%	23.11%	+2.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.47%	23.11%	+0.36%

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HGOIX has a 0.82% expense ratio, which is higher than NUGO's 0.56% expense ratio.

Dividends

HGOIX vs. NUGO - Dividend Comparison

HGOIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.59%, while NUGO has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HGOIX The Hartford Growth Opportunities Fund Class I	5.59%	6.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	22.80%	13.21%	6.01%	30.76%	8.69%	3.76%	8.81%
NUGO Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.19%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HGOIX and NUGO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, HGOIX and NUGO 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.

Which is riskier, HGOIX or NUGO?

HGOIX has higher volatility (5.51%) compared to NUGO (4.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HGOIX dropped -58.07% vs NUGO's -38.01%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HGOIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.52), 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.