HTRB vs. BND
HTRB (Hartford Total Return Bond ETF) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. HTRB is actively managed, while BND is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HTRB returned 0.40%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for BND. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HTRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.
Performance
HTRB vs. BND - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with HTRB having a 0.26% return and BND slightly higher at 0.27%.
HTRB
- 1D
- -0.24%
- 1M
- 0.29%
- YTD
- 0.26%
- 6M
- 0.10%
- 1Y
- 5.77%
- 3Y*
- 4.63%
- 5Y*
- 0.40%
- 10Y*
- —
BND
- 1D
- -0.19%
- 1M
- 0.27%
- YTD
- 0.27%
- 6M
- 0.12%
- 1Y
- 5.11%
- 3Y*
- 3.96%
- 5Y*
- 0.09%
- 10Y*
- 1.58%
HTRB vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HTRB Hartford Total Return Bond ETF | 0.26% | 7.38% | 2.35% | 7.15% | -14.36% | -0.80% | 8.87% | 10.39% | -0.88% | 1.02% |
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 0.27% | 7.08% | 1.38% | 5.65% | -13.11% | -1.86% | 7.71% | 8.84% | -0.12% | 0.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between HTRB and BND is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.97 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.96 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2017 | 0.83 |
The correlation between HTRB and BND shifts across timeframes, from 0.83 (all time) to 0.97 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
HTRB vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank
HTRB
BND
HTRB vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.
| HTRB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.15 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.24 | +0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.06 | 1.92 | +0.14 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.09 | 5.80 | +0.29 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| HTRB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.51 | 1.36 | +0.15 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.07 | 0.01 | +0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.29 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.40 | 0.59 | -0.19 |
Drawdowns
HTRB vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.48%, roughly equal to the maximum BND drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTRB and BND.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| HTRB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.48% | -18.58% | -0.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -2.68% | -0.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.52% | -5.92% | -0.60% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.48% | -17.91% | -1.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -18.58% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.55% | -2.37% | +0.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.81% | -3.06% | -1.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.95% | 0.88% | +0.07% |
Volatility
HTRB vs. BND - Volatility Comparison
Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) have volatilities of 1.28% and 1.23%, 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.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| HTRB | BND | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.28% | 1.23% | +0.05% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.73% | 2.66% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.85% | 3.78% | +0.07% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.12% | 6.02% | +0.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.57% | 5.53% | +0.04% |
HTRB vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison
HTRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.
Dividends
HTRB vs. BND - Dividend Comparison
HTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than BND's 3.97% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BND Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF | 3.97% | 3.86% | 3.67% | 3.09% | 2.60% | 2.12% | 2.38% | 2.72% | 2.81% | 2.54% | 2.51% | 2.57% |
HTRB Hartford Total Return Bond ETF | 4.63% | 4.66% | 4.45% | 3.87% | 3.08% | 4.22% | 4.79% | 6.30% | 2.37% | 0.96% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.97, HTRB and BND move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
HTRB has higher volatility (1.28%) compared to BND (1.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTRB dropped -19.48% vs BND's -18.58%.
On 5-year performance, HTRB leads with 0.40% vs 0.09% for BND. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, HTRB has performed better with a 0.40% return vs 0.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HTRB.
HTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 3.97% for BND.
HTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while BND is Total Bond Market. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HTRB and 0.03% for BND.
HTRB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.36), 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.
Find the right allocation for HTRB and BND
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer