HTRB vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HTRB (Hartford Total Return Bond ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Hartford, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. HTRB is actively managed, while VOO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HTRB returned 0.42%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for VOO. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HTRB charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

HTRB vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTRB achieves a 0.35% return, which is significantly lower than VOO's 11.34% return.

HTRB

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.42%
• 1Y: 5.14%
• 3Y*: 4.66%
• 5Y*: 0.42%
• 10Y*: —

VOO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 4.62%
• YTD: 11.34%
• 6M: 11.27%
• 1Y: 28.62%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: 15.55%

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

HTRB vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HTRB Hartford Total Return Bond ETF	0.35%	7.38%	2.35%	7.15%	-14.36%	-0.80%	8.87%	10.39%	-0.88%	1.02%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	11.34%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	7.19%

Correlation

The correlation between HTRB and VOO is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2017	0.11

Over the past year, HTRB and VOO have become more correlated (0.32) than their long-term average of 0.11, meaning their price movements have been converging.

HTRB vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	HTRB	VOO
Energy	100.0%	3.5%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Real Estate	-	1.9%
Technology	-	35.7%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

HTRB vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTRB

HTRB Risk / Return Rank: 38
HTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
HTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
HTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 38
HTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
HTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 36

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 74
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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.

HTRB vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	2.44	-1.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	3.31	-1.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.44	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.83	3.23	-1.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.41	15.03	-9.63
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HTRB vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTRB and VOO, 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

	HTRB	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	2.44	-1.08
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.84	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.89	-0.49

Drawdowns

HTRB vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTRB drawdown since its inception was -19.48%, smaller than the maximum VOO drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTRB and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTRB	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.48%	-33.99%	+14.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.82%	-8.90%	+6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.52%	-18.69%	+12.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.48%	-24.52%	+5.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.99%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.46%	-0.32%	-1.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.81%	-3.69%	-1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.95%	1.91%	-0.96%

Volatility

HTRB vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) is 1.28%, while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) has a volatility of 2.78%. This indicates that HTRB experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HTRB	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.28%	2.78%	-1.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.73%	8.90%	-6.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.85%	11.80%	-7.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.12%	16.81%	-10.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.57%	18.00%	-12.43%

HTRB vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTRB has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HTRB vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

HTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than VOO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTRB and VOO in my portfolio?

HTRB and VOO have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HTRB or VOO?

VOO has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to HTRB (1.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTRB dropped -19.48% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, HTRB or VOO?

On 5-year performance, VOO leads with 13.98% vs 0.42% for HTRB. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, HTRB has been the lower-risk option at 1.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, HTRB or VOO?

Over the 5-year period, VOO has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 0.42%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, HTRB or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for HTRB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, HTRB or VOO?

HTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 1.02% for VOO.

What is the main difference between HTRB and VOO?

HTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while VOO is S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: Hartford and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for HTRB and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.44 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.