HIPAX vs. HBLYX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HIPAX (Hartford Inflation Plus Fund) and HBLYX (The Hartford Balanced Income Fund) are both mutual funds - HIPAX is a Inflation-Protected Bonds fund managed by Hartford, while HBLYX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by Hartford. Over the past 10 years, HIPAX returned 2.62%/yr vs 6.77%/yr for HBLYX. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HIPAX charges 0.84%/yr vs 0.64%/yr for HBLYX.

Performance

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Inflation Plus Fund (HIPAX) and The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HIPAX achieves a 1.64% return, which is significantly lower than HBLYX's 2.70% return. Over the past 10 years, HIPAX has underperformed HBLYX with an annualized return of 2.62%, while HBLYX has yielded a comparatively higher 6.77% annualized return.

HIPAX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 1.64%
• 6M: 1.25%
• 1Y: 5.57%
• 3Y*: 4.25%
• 5Y*: 1.65%
• 10Y*: 2.62%

HBLYX

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: 1.20%
• YTD: 2.70%
• 6M: 2.90%
• 1Y: 10.40%
• 3Y*: 9.67%
• 5Y*: 4.77%
• 10Y*: 6.77%

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

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HIPAX Hartford Inflation Plus Fund	1.64%	6.79%	1.72%	4.40%	-8.90%	4.85%	9.20%	6.63%	-1.34%	1.83%
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	2.70%	10.03%	9.00%	7.95%	-8.18%	10.01%	7.73%	19.36%	-4.82%	11.78%

Correlation

The correlation between HIPAX and HBLYX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 1, 2006	0.16

Over the past year, HIPAX and HBLYX have become more correlated (0.40) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

HIPAX vs. HBLYX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HIPAX

HIPAX Risk / Return Rank: 46
HIPAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
HIPAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
HIPAX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HIPAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
HIPAX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

HBLYX

HBLYX Risk / Return Rank: 36
HBLYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
HBLYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
HBLYX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
HBLYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
HBLYX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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.

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Inflation Plus Fund (HIPAX) and The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX). 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.

	HIPAX	HBLYX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.86	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.97	2.63	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.35	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	1.93	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.88	7.14	+2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HIPAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the HBLYX Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HIPAX and HBLYX, 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

	HIPAX	HBLYX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.86	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.60	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	0.81	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.82	-0.17

Drawdowns

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HIPAX drawdown since its inception was -13.92%, smaller than the maximum HBLYX drawdown of -31.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HIPAX and HBLYX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HIPAX	HBLYX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.92%	-31.36%	+17.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.11%	-5.59%	+3.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.90%	-7.71%	+3.81%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.61%	-15.92%	+4.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-11.61%	-23.19%	+11.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-1.24%	+1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.79%	-3.10%	-0.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	1.51%	-0.97%

Volatility

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Inflation Plus Fund (HIPAX) is 0.91%, while The Hartford Balanced Income Fund (HBLYX) has a volatility of 1.62%. This indicates that HIPAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HBLYX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HIPAX	HBLYX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.91%	1.62%	-0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.02%	4.50%	-2.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.77%	5.83%	-3.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.06%	7.96%	-2.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.31%	8.39%	-4.08%

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HIPAX has a 0.84% expense ratio, which is higher than HBLYX's 0.64% expense ratio.

Dividends

HIPAX vs. HBLYX - Dividend Comparison

HIPAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.57%, less than HBLYX's 6.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HBLYX The Hartford Balanced Income Fund	6.79%	6.97%	9.70%	3.44%	6.90%	7.00%	2.83%	3.49%	7.25%	5.58%	3.89%	4.54%
HIPAX Hartford Inflation Plus Fund	3.57%	3.10%	2.71%	2.97%	6.00%	2.82%	1.61%	1.73%	3.79%	4.63%	1.18%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HIPAX and HBLYX in my portfolio?

HIPAX and HBLYX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HIPAX or HBLYX?

HBLYX has higher volatility (1.62%) compared to HIPAX (0.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HIPAX dropped -13.92% vs HBLYX's -31.36%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HIPAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.86), 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.