HISCX vs. VRTGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HISCX (Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund) and VRTGX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HISCX returned 10.52%/yr vs 11.55%/yr for VRTGX. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. HISCX charges 0.64%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTGX.

Performance

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund (HISCX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HISCX achieves a 20.18% return, which is significantly higher than VRTGX's 18.46% return. Over the past 10 years, HISCX has underperformed VRTGX with an annualized return of 10.52%, while VRTGX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.55% annualized return.

HISCX

• 1D: 1.13%
• 1M: 5.58%
• YTD: 20.18%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 38.50%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 4.81%
• 10Y*: 10.52%

VRTGX

• 1D: 0.86%
• 1M: 5.85%
• YTD: 18.46%
• 6M: 16.83%
• 1Y: 39.45%
• 3Y*: 18.76%
• 5Y*: 6.15%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

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

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HISCX Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund	20.18%	6.50%	13.13%	18.42%	-29.00%	4.25%	33.20%	35.53%	-11.71%	20.07%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.46%	12.97%	15.26%	18.80%	-26.30%	2.82%	34.81%	28.84%	-9.21%	22.27%

Correlation

The correlation between HISCX and VRTGX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.99

The correlation between HISCX and VRTGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HISCX vs. VRTGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HISCX

HISCX Risk / Return Rank: 50
HISCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
HISCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
HISCX Omega Ratio Rank: 38
HISCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
HISCX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

VRTGX

VRTGX Risk / Return Rank: 45
VRTGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
VRTGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
VRTGX Omega Ratio Rank: 36
VRTGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VRTGX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund (HISCX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX). 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.

	HISCX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	1.96	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	2.68	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.32	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	2.83	+0.25
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.96	10.20	+1.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HISCX Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the VRTGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HISCX and VRTGX, 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

	HISCX	VRTGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	1.96	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20	0.25	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	0.47	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.52	-0.21

Drawdowns

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HISCX drawdown since its inception was -82.02%, which is greater than VRTGX's maximum drawdown of -41.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HISCX and VRTGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HISCX	VRTGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.02%	-41.97%	-40.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.26%	-14.80%	+1.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.31%	-28.54%	-1.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.40%	-40.48%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.25%	-41.97%	+1.72%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.02%	+0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.25%	-10.44%	-21.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.41%	4.10%	-0.69%

Volatility

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Volatility Comparison

Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund (HISCX) and Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTGX) have volatilities of 6.23% and 6.44%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HISCX	VRTGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.23%	6.44%	-0.21%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.80%	15.87%	-0.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.73%	21.37%	-0.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.73%	24.55%	-0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.87%	24.51%	-0.64%

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HISCX has a 0.64% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTGX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

HISCX vs. VRTGX - Dividend Comparison

HISCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.12%, more than VRTGX's 0.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HISCX Hartford Small Cap Growth HLS Fund	20.12%	24.18%	0.29%	0.00%	22.03%	8.72%	2.93%	19.12%	7.80%	0.04%	4.39%	0.00%
VRTGX Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.60%	0.57%	0.62%	0.85%	0.78%	0.54%	0.53%	0.90%	0.85%	0.75%	1.07%	0.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HISCX and VRTGX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, HISCX and VRTGX 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, HISCX or VRTGX?

VRTGX has higher volatility (6.44%) compared to HISCX (6.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HISCX dropped -82.02% vs VRTGX's -41.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HISCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.96), 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.