HQGO vs. HCRB

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) and HCRB (Hartford Core Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HQGO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while HCRB is a Intermediate Core Bond fund actively managed by Hartford. HQGO is passively managed, while HCRB is actively managed. Over the past year, HQGO returned 25.94% vs 5.27% for HCRB. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HQGO charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for HCRB.

Performance

HQGO vs. HCRB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). 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 higher than HCRB's 0.18% return.

HQGO

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

HCRB

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 0.18%
• 6M: 0.07%
• 1Y: 5.27%
• 3Y*: 4.42%
• 5Y*: 0.12%
• 10Y*: —

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

HQGO vs. HCRB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	10.17%	15.15%	25.09%	6.12%
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	0.18%	7.06%	2.23%	2.44%

Correlation

The correlation between HQGO and HCRB is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.19

Return for Risk

HQGO vs. HCRB — 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

HCRB

HCRB Risk / Return Rank: 38
HCRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HCRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
HCRB Omega Ratio Rank: 37
HCRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
HCRB Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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. HCRB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB). 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	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.39	+0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	2.07	+0.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.25	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	1.88	+0.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.34	5.68	+4.66
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. HCRB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is higher than the HCRB Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQGO and HCRB, 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	HCRB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.39	+0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.02	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.38	0.13	+1.25

Drawdowns

HQGO vs. HCRB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQGO drawdown since its inception was -20.85%, roughly equal to the maximum HCRB drawdown of -19.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQGO and HCRB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQGO	HCRB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-19.90%	-0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-2.82%	-7.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.18%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-19.42%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-1.86%	+1.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-7.02%	+4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.51%	0.93%	+1.58%

Volatility

HQGO vs. HCRB - Volatility Comparison

Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) has a higher volatility of 2.66% compared to Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) at 1.30%. This indicates that HQGO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HCRB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HQGO	HCRB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	1.30%	+1.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	2.70%	+7.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.37%	3.81%	+9.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	6.13%	+10.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.99%	5.96%	+11.03%

HQGO vs. HCRB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HQGO has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than HCRB's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

HQGO vs. HCRB - Dividend Comparison

HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.46%, less than HCRB's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HCRB Hartford Core Bond ETF	4.19%	4.12%	4.15%	3.39%	2.18%	1.47%	1.81%
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 HCRB in my portfolio?

HQGO and HCRB have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HQGO or HCRB?

HQGO has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to HCRB (1.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQGO dropped -20.85% vs HCRB's -19.90%.

Which ETF is better, HQGO or HCRB?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 25.94% vs 5.27% for HCRB. On fees, HCRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, HCRB has been the lower-risk option at 1.30%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HQGO or HCRB?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 25.94% return vs 5.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HQGO or HCRB?

HCRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for HQGO.

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

HCRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.19%, compared with 0.46% for HQGO.

What is the main difference between HQGO and HCRB?

HQGO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while HCRB is Intermediate Core Bond. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for HQGO and 0.29% for HCRB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HQGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.39), 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.