HQGO vs. PSET

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) and PSET (Principal Quality ETF) are both Quality Factor funds - HQGO tracks the Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross while PSET tracks the NASDAQ US Price Setters. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, HQGO returned 23.04% vs 8.97% for PSET. Their correlation of 0.92 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HQGO charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for PSET.

Performance

HQGO vs. PSET - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HQGO achieves a 11.00% return, which is significantly higher than PSET's 4.64% return.

HQGO

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

PSET

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 4.13%
• 6M: 4.98%
• YTD: 4.64%
• 1Y: 8.97%
• 3Y*: 12.66%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 12.87%
• ALL TIME*: 13.07%

*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)
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	$5.49K	$7.53K	$51.76K
PSET Principal Quality ETF	$120.42K	$93.26K	$181.37K

HQGO vs. PSET - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	11.00%	15.15%	25.09%	5.10%
PSET Principal Quality ETF	4.64%	7.27%	17.65%	5.38%

Correlation

The correlation between HQGO and PSET is 0.89, 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.	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2023	0.92

The correlation between HQGO and PSET has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

HQGO vs. PSET - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HQGO	PSET
Technology	42.3%	37.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	5.0%
Healthcare	10.4%	10.9%
Communication Services	9.9%	6.2%
Industrials	7.0%	20.5%
Financial Services	6.7%	13.9%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	1.1%
Energy	3.9%	1.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	3.7%
Real Estate	0.9%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

HQGO vs. PSET — 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

PSET

PSET Risk / Return Rank: 27
PSET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
PSET Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
PSET Omega Ratio Rank: 26
PSET Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
PSET Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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. PSET - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Principal Quality ETF (PSET). 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	PSET	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	0.69	+0.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	1.04	+1.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.12	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	0.70	+1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	2.28	+6.17

HQGO vs. PSET - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the PSET Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQGO and PSET, 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. PSET - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQGO drawdown since its inception was -20.85%, smaller than the maximum PSET drawdown of -34.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQGO and PSET.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQGO	PSET	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-34.74%	+13.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-12.94%	+2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.96%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-25.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	0.00%	-0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-4.55%	+2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	3.95%	-1.22%

Volatility

HQGO vs. PSET - Volatility Comparison

Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and Principal Quality ETF (PSET) have volatilities of 3.62% and 3.46%, 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

	HQGO	PSET	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	3.46%	+0.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	10.21%	+0.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.18%	13.05%	+1.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	17.61%	-0.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	18.12%	-1.22%

HQGO vs. PSET - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

HQGO vs. PSET - Dividend Comparison

HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than PSET's 0.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	0.45%	0.51%	0.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PSET Principal Quality ETF	0.68%	0.59%	0.69%	0.85%	1.47%	0.89%	1.09%	1.52%	1.33%	1.02%	1.26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HQGO and PSET in my portfolio?

HQGO and PSET have a correlation of 0.89, 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 PSET?

HQGO has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to PSET (3.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQGO dropped -20.85% vs PSET's -34.74%.

Which ETF is better, HQGO or PSET?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 23.04% vs 8.97% for PSET. On fees, PSET is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, PSET has been the lower-risk option at 3.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HQGO or PSET?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 23.04% return vs 8.97%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HQGO or PSET?

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

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

PSET has the higher dividend yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.45% for HQGO.

What is the main difference between HQGO and PSET?

HQGO tracks Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while PSET tracks NASDAQ US Price Setters. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and Principal. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for HQGO and 0.15% for PSET.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HQGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.69), 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.