HQIYX vs. VALAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HQIYX (The Hartford Equity Income Fund) and VALAX (Al Frank Fund) are both Large Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HQIYX returned 11.61%/yr vs 14.37%/yr for VALAX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HQIYX charges 0.74%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for VALAX.

Performance

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in The Hartford Equity Income Fund (HQIYX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HQIYX achieves a 5.90% return, which is significantly lower than VALAX's 22.82% return. Over the past 10 years, HQIYX has underperformed VALAX with an annualized return of 11.61%, while VALAX has yielded a comparatively higher 14.37% annualized return.

HQIYX

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 0.79%
• YTD: 5.90%
• 6M: 6.65%
• 1Y: 17.29%
• 3Y*: 13.37%
• 5Y*: 8.91%
• 10Y*: 11.61%

VALAX

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 5.59%
• YTD: 22.82%
• 6M: 23.96%
• 1Y: 52.25%
• 3Y*: 24.78%
• 5Y*: 11.55%
• 10Y*: 14.37%

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

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HQIYX The Hartford Equity Income Fund	5.90%	15.24%	10.03%	7.33%	-0.30%	25.50%	4.63%	35.06%	-7.81%	17.93%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	22.82%	23.57%	13.35%	14.05%	-13.50%	24.97%	10.22%	33.98%	-7.87%	18.09%

Correlation

The correlation between HQIYX and VALAX is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 1, 2006	0.91

The correlation between HQIYX and VALAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HQIYX vs. VALAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HQIYX

HQIYX Risk / Return Rank: 37
HQIYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
HQIYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
HQIYX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
HQIYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
HQIYX Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VALAX

VALAX Risk / Return Rank: 95
VALAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
VALAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VALAX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VALAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
VALAX Martin Ratio Rank: 96

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.

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for The Hartford Equity Income Fund (HQIYX) and Al Frank Fund (VALAX). 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.

	HQIYX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	3.83	-2.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	5.15	-2.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.68	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.41	6.10	-3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.51	24.38	-15.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HQIYX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the VALAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HQIYX and VALAX, 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

	HQIYX	VALAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	3.83	-2.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.65	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72	0.75	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.44	+0.15

Drawdowns

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HQIYX drawdown since its inception was -50.48%, smaller than the maximum VALAX drawdown of -61.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HQIYX and VALAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HQIYX	VALAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.48%	-61.26%	+10.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.14%	-8.56%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.89%	-25.81%	+13.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.94%	-25.81%	+11.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.99%	-38.22%	+3.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-0.25%	-0.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.30%	-10.75%	+5.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.02%	2.14%	-0.12%

Volatility

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for The Hartford Equity Income Fund (HQIYX) is 2.53%, while Al Frank Fund (VALAX) has a volatility of 4.09%. This indicates that HQIYX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VALAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HQIYX	VALAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.53%	4.09%	-1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.48%	10.71%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.18%	13.67%	-3.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.58%	17.78%	-4.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.21%	19.34%	-3.13%

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HQIYX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is lower than VALAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

HQIYX vs. VALAX - Dividend Comparison

HQIYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.44%, more than VALAX's 7.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HQIYX The Hartford Equity Income Fund	12.44%	13.10%	10.43%	7.69%	12.84%	8.91%	2.91%	14.68%	10.87%	6.98%	5.29%	10.62%
VALAX Al Frank Fund	7.05%	8.65%	10.32%	5.95%	8.62%	6.83%	7.17%	13.51%	10.73%	10.66%	5.32%	9.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HQIYX and VALAX in my portfolio?

HQIYX and VALAX have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HQIYX or VALAX?

VALAX has higher volatility (4.09%) compared to HQIYX (2.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HQIYX dropped -50.48% vs VALAX's -61.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VALAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.83 vs 1.69), 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.