HTRB vs. GSG
HTRB (Hartford Total Return Bond ETF) and GSG (iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - HTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while GSG is a Commodities fund tracking the S&P GSCI Total Return Index. HTRB is actively managed, while GSG is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HTRB returned 0.12%/yr vs 14.34%/yr for GSG. At a correlation of -0.09, they often move in opposite directions. HTRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for GSG.
Performance
HTRB vs. GSG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, HTRB achieves a 0.20% return, which is significantly lower than GSG's 34.43% return.
HTRB
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- 6M
- -0.12%
- YTD
- 0.20%
- 1Y
- 4.53%
- 3Y*
- 4.50%
- 5Y*
- 0.12%
- 10Y*
- —
GSG
- 1D
- 1.57%
- 1M
- 1.37%
- 6M
- 28.74%
- YTD
- 34.43%
- 1Y
- 38.08%
- 3Y*
- 15.01%
- 5Y*
- 14.34%
- 10Y*
- 7.57%
HTRB vs. GSG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HTRB Hartford Total Return Bond ETF | 0.20% | 7.38% | 2.35% | 7.15% | -14.36% | -0.80% | 8.87% | 10.39% | -0.88% | 0.97% |
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 34.43% | 5.93% | 8.52% | -5.51% | 24.08% | 38.77% | -23.94% | 15.62% | -13.88% | 8.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between HTRB and GSG is -0.37, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.18 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 28, 2017 | -0.09 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between HTRB and GSG has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.09 to -0.37, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.
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Return for Risk
HTRB vs. GSG — Risk / Return Rank
HTRB
GSG
HTRB vs. GSG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) and iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG). 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.
| HTRB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.42 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.44 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.29 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.61 | 2.03 | -0.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.43 | 6.88 | -2.45 |
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Drawdowns
HTRB vs. GSG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.48%, smaller than the maximum GSG drawdown of -89.62%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTRB and GSG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| HTRB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -19.48% | -89.62% | +70.14% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -2.82% | -18.81% | +15.99% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.52% | -18.81% | +12.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -19.48% | -29.12% | +9.64% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -57.64% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.60% | -59.41% | +57.81% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.77% | -63.69% | +58.92% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.03% | 5.55% | -4.52% |
Volatility
HTRB vs. GSG - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) is 1.17%, while iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust (GSG) has a volatility of 7.37%. This indicates that HTRB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GSG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| HTRB | GSG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.17% | 7.37% | -6.20% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 2.93% | 21.54% | -18.61% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 3.77% | 23.48% | -19.71% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 6.12% | 22.80% | -16.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 5.55% | 22.00% | -16.45% |
HTRB vs. GSG - Expense Ratio Comparison
HTRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than GSG's 0.75% expense ratio.
Dividends
HTRB vs. GSG - Dividend Comparison
HTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.70%, while GSG has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSG iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
HTRB Hartford Total Return Bond ETF | 4.70% | 4.66% | 4.45% | 3.87% | 3.08% | 4.22% | 4.79% | 6.30% | 2.37% | 0.96% |
Frequently Asked Questions
HTRB and GSG have a correlation of -0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GSG has higher volatility (7.37%) compared to HTRB (1.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTRB dropped -19.48% vs GSG's -89.62%.
On 5-year performance, GSG leads with 14.34% vs 0.12% for HTRB. On fees, HTRB is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, HTRB has been the lower-risk option at 1.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, GSG has performed better with a 14.34% return vs 0.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HTRB is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for GSG.
HTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.70%, compared with 0.00% for GSG.
HTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while GSG is Commodities. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HTRB and 0.75% for GSG.
GSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.21), 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.
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