HTAB vs. FTCB

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

HTAB (Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF) and FTCB (First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF) are both Intermediate Core Bond funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, HTAB returned 5.29% vs 2.78% for FTCB. Their 0.70 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. HTAB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for FTCB.

Performance

HTAB vs. FTCB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF (HTAB) and First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTAB achieves a 0.59% return, which is significantly higher than FTCB's -0.41% return.

HTAB

• 1D: 0.16%
• 1M: -1.51%
• 6M: 0.33%
• YTD: 0.59%
• 1Y: 5.29%
• 3Y*: 3.26%
• 5Y*: 0.43%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 2.11%

FTCB

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -1.06%
• 6M: -0.46%
• YTD: -0.41%
• 1Y: 2.78%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.82%

*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)
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	$14.35M	$17.53M	$13.88M
HTAB Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF	$811.66K	$771.11K	$924.03K

HTAB vs. FTCB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
HTAB Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF	0.59%	2.86%	1.52%	8.47%
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	-0.41%	8.12%	2.57%	5.69%

Correlation

The correlation between HTAB and FTCB is 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 8, 2023	0.70

The correlation between HTAB and FTCB has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HTAB vs. FTCB — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

HTAB

HTAB Risk / Return Rank: 52
HTAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
HTAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HTAB Omega Ratio Rank: 55
HTAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
HTAB Martin Ratio Rank: 47

FTCB

FTCB Risk / Return Rank: 27
FTCB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
FTCB Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
FTCB Omega Ratio Rank: 25
FTCB Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
FTCB 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.

HTAB vs. FTCB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF (HTAB) and First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB). 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.

	HTAB	FTCB	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	0.70	+0.69
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	1.00	+1.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.12	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	0.92	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.63	2.35	+3.28

HTAB vs. FTCB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTAB Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is higher than the FTCB Sharpe Ratio of 0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTAB and FTCB, 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

HTAB vs. FTCB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTAB drawdown since its inception was -14.76%, which is greater than FTCB's maximum drawdown of -4.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTAB and FTCB.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTAB	FTCB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.76%	-4.99%	-9.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.85%	-3.04%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.72%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-14.51%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.73%	-2.28%	+0.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.85%	-1.29%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	1.18%	-0.24%

Volatility

HTAB vs. FTCB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF (HTAB) is 1.01%, while First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF (FTCB) has a volatility of 1.32%. This indicates that HTAB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FTCB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HTAB	FTCB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.01%	1.32%	-0.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.88%	3.24%	-0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.84%	4.02%	-0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.75%	5.16%	+0.59%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.13%	5.16%	-0.03%

HTAB vs. FTCB - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTAB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is lower than FTCB's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

HTAB vs. FTCB - Dividend Comparison

HTAB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.87%, less than FTCB's 5.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FTCB First Trust Core Investment Grade ETF	5.44%	4.99%	5.19%	0.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HTAB Hartford Schroders Tax-Aware Bond ETF	3.87%	3.88%	3.57%	3.21%	2.26%	2.18%	1.64%	2.77%	1.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTAB and FTCB in my portfolio?

HTAB and FTCB have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HTAB or FTCB?

FTCB has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to HTAB (1.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTAB dropped -14.76% vs FTCB's -4.99%.

Which ETF is better, HTAB or FTCB?

On 1-year performance, HTAB leads with 5.29% vs 2.78% for FTCB. On fees, HTAB is cheaper at 0.39% per year. On volatility, HTAB has been the lower-risk option at 1.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HTAB or FTCB?

Over the 1-year period, HTAB has performed better with a 5.29% return vs 2.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HTAB or FTCB?

HTAB is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for FTCB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HTAB or FTCB?

FTCB has the higher dividend yield at 5.44%, compared with 3.87% for HTAB.

What is the main difference between HTAB and FTCB?

They also come from different issuers: Hartford and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for HTAB and 0.55% for FTCB.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HTAB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 0.70), 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.