HQGO vs. QDEF

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) and QDEF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund) are both Quality Factor funds - HQGO tracks the Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross while QDEF tracks the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, HQGO returned 23.04% vs 21.44% for QDEF. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. HQGO charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDEF.

Performance

HQGO vs. QDEF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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 QDEF slightly lower at 10.91%.

HQGO

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

QDEF

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.07%
• 6M: 8.51%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 1Y: 21.44%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 12.40%
• 10Y*: 12.03%
• ALL TIME*: 12.74%

*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
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	$574.46K	$566.98K	$752.75K

HQGO vs. QDEF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	11.00%	15.15%	25.09%	5.10%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	10.91%	17.43%	21.19%	3.71%

Correlation

The correlation between HQGO and QDEF is 0.83, 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.	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 6, 2023	0.85

The correlation between HQGO and QDEF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

HQGO vs. QDEF - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HQGO	QDEF
Technology	42.3%	35.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	7.3%
Healthcare	10.4%	10.5%
Communication Services	9.9%	5.8%
Industrials	7.0%	5.5%
Financial Services	6.7%	11.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	7.3%
Energy	3.9%	4.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	3.5%
Real Estate	0.9%	3.9%
Utilities	0.1%	3.6%

Return for Risk

HQGO vs. QDEF — 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

QDEF

QDEF Risk / Return Rank: 86
QDEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Omega Ratio Rank: 88
QDEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
QDEF Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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. QDEF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF). 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	QDEF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	2.19	-0.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	3.10	-0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.41	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	3.10	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	12.91	-4.46

HQGO vs. QDEF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQGO Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is comparable to the QDEF Sharpe Ratio of 2.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQGO and QDEF, 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. QDEF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQGO drawdown since its inception was -20.85%, smaller than the maximum QDEF drawdown of -35.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQGO and QDEF.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQGO	QDEF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.85%	-35.74%	+14.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.40%	-6.95%	-3.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-14.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-21.37%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.10%	-0.19%	+0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.52%	-3.27%	+0.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.73%	1.66%	+1.07%

Volatility

HQGO vs. QDEF - Volatility Comparison

Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) has a higher volatility of 3.62% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund (QDEF) at 2.23%. This indicates that HQGO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDEF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HQGO	QDEF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	2.23%	+1.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	7.47%	+3.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.18%	9.84%	+4.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.90%	13.77%	+3.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.90%	16.14%	+0.76%

HQGO vs. QDEF - Expense Ratio Comparison

HQGO has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than QDEF's 0.37% expense ratio.

Dividends

HQGO vs. QDEF - Dividend Comparison

HQGO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, less than QDEF's 1.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%
QDEF FlexShares Quality Dividend Defensive Index Fund	1.57%	1.74%	1.85%	2.21%	2.42%	1.84%	2.50%	3.17%	7.10%	2.70%	2.90%	3.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HQGO and QDEF in my portfolio?

HQGO and QDEF have a correlation of 0.83, 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 QDEF?

HQGO has higher volatility (3.62%) compared to QDEF (2.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQGO dropped -20.85% vs QDEF's -35.74%.

Which ETF is better, HQGO or QDEF?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 23.04% vs 21.44% for QDEF. On fees, HQGO is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, QDEF has been the lower-risk option at 2.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HQGO or QDEF?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 23.04% return vs 21.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HQGO or QDEF?

HQGO is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDEF.

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

QDEF has the higher dividend yield at 1.57%, compared with 0.45% for HQGO.

What is the main difference between HQGO and QDEF?

HQGO tracks Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while QDEF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for HQGO and 0.37% for QDEF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QDEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.63), 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.