HQGO vs. AVUQ

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) and AVUQ (Avantis U.S. Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds. HQGO is passively managed, while AVUQ is actively managed. Over the past year, HQGO returned 23.04% vs 21.48% for AVUQ. Their correlation of 0.94 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HQGO charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for AVUQ.

Performance

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with HQGO having a 11.00% return and AVUQ slightly lower at 10.84%.

HQGO

• 1D: 1.39%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: 9.26%
• YTD: 11.00%
• 1Y: 23.04%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.56%

AVUQ

• 1D: 1.79%
• 1M: 1.73%
• 6M: 8.78%
• YTD: 10.84%
• 1Y: 21.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 24.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	$1.44M	$1.08M	$1.47M
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	$5.49K	$7.53K	$51.76K

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	11.00%	20.69%
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	10.84%	21.84%

Correlation

The correlation between HQGO and AVUQ is 0.94, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2025	0.94

The correlation between HQGO and AVUQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HQGO	AVUQ
Technology	42.3%	47.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	13.3%
Healthcare	10.4%	5.7%
Communication Services	9.9%	12.2%
Industrials	7.0%	8.9%
Financial Services	6.7%	5.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	3.2%
Energy	3.9%	2.1%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.1%
Utilities	0.1%	0.7%

Return for Risk

HQGO vs. AVUQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HQGO

HQGO Risk / Return Rank: 62
HQGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
HQGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HQGO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
HQGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
HQGO Martin Ratio Rank: 64

AVUQ

AVUQ Risk / Return Rank: 51
AVUQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
AVUQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
AVUQ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
AVUQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
AVUQ Martin Ratio Rank: 54

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ). 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.

	HQGO	AVUQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	1.29	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	1.85	+0.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.22	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	1.86	+0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	6.70	+1.75

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the AVUQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.29. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQGO and AVUQ, 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

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQGO drawdown since its inception was -20.85%, which is greater than AVUQ's maximum drawdown of -12.35%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQGO and AVUQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQGO	AVUQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-12.35%	-8.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-11.61%	+1.21%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-1.31%	+1.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-2.24%	-0.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	3.21%	-0.48%

Volatility

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) is 3.62%, while Avantis U.S. Quality ETF (AVUQ) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that HQGO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVUQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HQGO	AVUQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	5.21%	-1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	13.15%	-2.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.18%	16.70%	-2.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	19.44%	-2.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	19.44%	-2.54%

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

HQGO has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than AVUQ's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

HQGO vs. AVUQ - Dividend Comparison

HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, more than AVUQ's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
AVUQ Avantis U.S. Quality ETF	0.30%	0.32%	0.00%
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	0.45%	0.51%	0.52%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HQGO and AVUQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, HQGO and AVUQ 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, HQGO or AVUQ?

AVUQ has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to HQGO (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQGO dropped -20.85% vs AVUQ's -12.35%.

Which ETF is better, HQGO or AVUQ?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 23.04% vs 21.48% for AVUQ. On fees, AVUQ is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, HQGO has been the lower-risk option at 3.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HQGO or AVUQ?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 23.04% return vs 21.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HQGO or AVUQ?

AVUQ is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for HQGO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HQGO or AVUQ?

HQGO has the higher dividend yield at 0.45%, compared with 0.30% for AVUQ.

What is the main difference between HQGO and AVUQ?

They also come from different issuers: Hartford and Avantis. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for HQGO and 0.15% for AVUQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HQGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.29), 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.