HQGO vs. GARP

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) and GARP (iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - HQGO tracks the Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross while GARP tracks the MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, HQGO returned 25.94% vs 43.57% for GARP. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HQGO charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for GARP.

Performance

HQGO vs. GARP - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HQGO achieves a 10.17% return, which is significantly lower than GARP's 21.29% return.

HQGO

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 5.79%
• YTD: 10.17%
• 6M: 9.44%
• 1Y: 25.94%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

GARP

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 11.92%
• YTD: 21.29%
• 6M: 21.80%
• 1Y: 43.57%
• 3Y*: 33.60%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: —

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

HQGO vs. GARP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	10.17%	15.15%	25.09%	6.12%
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	21.29%	21.49%	37.42%	4.63%

Correlation

The correlation between HQGO and GARP is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.94

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

HQGO vs. GARP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HQGO	GARP
Technology	39.1%	56.7%
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	6.1%
Communication Services	13.4%	12.0%
Healthcare	9.0%	5.4%
Industrials	6.7%	6.9%
Financial Services	6.6%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	-
Energy	4.2%	2.7%
Basic Materials	1.9%	0.9%
Real Estate	0.6%	0.4%
Utilities	0.1%	1.4%

Return for Risk

HQGO vs. GARP — Risk / Return Rank

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

HQGO

HQGO Risk / Return Rank: 56
HQGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
HQGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
HQGO Omega Ratio Rank: 56
HQGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
HQGO Martin Ratio Rank: 59

GARP

GARP Risk / Return Rank: 68
GARP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
GARP Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
GARP Omega Ratio Rank: 67
GARP Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
GARP Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

HQGO vs. GARP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP). 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.

	HQGO	GARP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	2.45	-0.50
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	3.18	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	3.20	-0.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.34	12.85	-2.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HQGO vs. GARP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the GARP Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQGO and GARP, 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

	HQGO	GARP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	2.45	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.93	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.38	0.90	+0.49

Drawdowns

HQGO vs. GARP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQGO drawdown since its inception was -20.85%, smaller than the maximum GARP drawdown of -31.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQGO and GARP.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQGO	GARP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-31.34%	+10.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-13.69%	+3.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.73%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-30.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-0.73%	-0.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-7.36%	+4.84%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	3.40%	-0.89%

Volatility

HQGO vs. GARP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) is 2.66%, while iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF (GARP) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that HQGO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GARP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HQGO	GARP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	5.03%	-2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	13.89%	-3.94%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	17.89%	-4.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	21.97%	-4.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.99%	23.89%	-6.90%

HQGO vs. GARP - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HQGO vs. GARP - Dividend Comparison

HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, more than GARP's 0.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GARP iShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF	0.25%	0.31%	0.38%	0.75%	1.85%	0.67%	0.75%
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	0.46%	0.51%	0.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HQGO and GARP in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, HQGO and GARP 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 GARP?

GARP has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to HQGO (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQGO dropped -20.85% vs GARP's -31.34%.

Which ETF is better, HQGO or GARP?

On 1-year performance, GARP leads with 43.57% vs 25.94% for HQGO. On fees, GARP is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, HQGO has been the lower-risk option at 2.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HQGO or GARP?

Over the 1-year period, GARP has performed better with a 43.57% return vs 25.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HQGO or GARP?

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

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

HQGO has the higher dividend yield at 0.46%, compared with 0.25% for GARP.

What is the main difference between HQGO and GARP?

HQGO tracks Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while GARP tracks MSCI USA Quality GARP Select Index. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for HQGO and 0.15% for GARP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GARP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 1.95), 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.