HSTAX vs. VFFSX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

HSTAX (Hartford Stock HLS Fund) and VFFSX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, HSTAX returned 6.54%/yr vs 14.00%/yr for VFFSX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HSTAX charges 0.51%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for VFFSX.

Performance

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Stock HLS Fund (HSTAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSTAX achieves a 2.29% return, which is significantly lower than VFFSX's 11.35% return.

HSTAX

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: 1.93%
• YTD: 2.29%
• 6M: 2.56%
• 1Y: 7.76%
• 3Y*: 9.01%
• 5Y*: 6.54%
• 10Y*: 10.63%

VFFSX

• 1D: 0.42%
• 1M: 3.11%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 11.03%
• 1Y: 29.24%
• 3Y*: 22.71%
• 5Y*: 14.00%
• 10Y*: —

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

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HSTAX Hartford Stock HLS Fund	2.29%	7.84%	8.78%	7.76%	-5.43%	25.01%	11.93%	31.03%	-0.16%	19.00%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.35%	17.87%	25.00%	26.28%	-18.14%	29.24%	18.35%	31.88%	-4.42%	20.80%

Correlation

The correlation between HSTAX and VFFSX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.84

The correlation between HSTAX and VFFSX shifts across timeframes, from 0.73 (3 years) to 0.84 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HSTAX vs. VFFSX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSTAX

HSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
HSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
HSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
HSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
HSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
HSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VFFSX

VFFSX Risk / Return Rank: 73
VFFSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VFFSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VFFSX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VFFSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFFSX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Stock HLS Fund (HSTAX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX). 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.

	HSTAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.73	2.41	-1.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	3.29	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.44	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	3.22	-2.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.08	15.07	-11.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.73, which is lower than the VFFSX Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSTAX and VFFSX, 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

	HSTAX	VFFSX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73	2.41	-1.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.83	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.05	0.86	-0.80

Drawdowns

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSTAX drawdown since its inception was -91.51%, which is greater than VFFSX's maximum drawdown of -33.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSTAX and VFFSX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSTAX	VFFSX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.51%	-33.82%	-57.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.13%	-8.90%	-0.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.24%	-18.75%	+4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.70%	-24.51%	+7.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.32%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.20%	-4.50%	-26.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.39%	1.90%	+0.49%

Volatility

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Stock HLS Fund (HSTAX) is 2.13%, while Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) has a volatility of 2.87%. This indicates that HSTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VFFSX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSTAX	VFFSX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.13%	2.87%	-0.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.54%	9.00%	-1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.03%	11.88%	-1.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.25%	16.90%	-3.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.49%	18.41%	-2.92%

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSTAX has a 0.51% expense ratio, which is higher than VFFSX's 0.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

HSTAX vs. VFFSX - Dividend Comparison

HSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.46%, more than VFFSX's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HSTAX Hartford Stock HLS Fund	15.46%	15.81%	4.69%	6.22%	12.74%	4.55%	7.87%	9.95%	1.70%	1.73%	1.87%	1.72%
VFFSX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.04%	1.14%	1.24%	1.46%	1.70%	1.61%	1.56%	2.15%	2.09%	1.81%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSTAX and VFFSX in my portfolio?

HSTAX and VFFSX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HSTAX or VFFSX?

VFFSX has higher volatility (2.87%) compared to HSTAX (2.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSTAX dropped -91.51% vs VFFSX's -33.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VFFSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 0.73), 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.