QGRO vs. HQGO

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

QGRO (American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF) and HQGO (Hartford US Quality Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - QGRO tracks the iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Growth (USD)(GR) while HQGO tracks the Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QGRO returned 7.55% vs 23.12% for HQGO. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QGRO charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for HQGO.

Performance

QGRO vs. HQGO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QGRO achieves a -0.44% return, which is significantly lower than HQGO's 7.15% return.

QGRO

• 1D: -2.71%
• 1M: 0.18%
• YTD: -0.44%
• 6M: -0.95%
• 1Y: 7.55%
• 3Y*: 19.97%
• 5Y*: 11.64%
• 10Y*: —

HQGO

• 1D: -2.86%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 7.15%
• 6M: 5.94%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QGRO vs. HQGO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	-0.44%	15.18%	31.42%	5.76%
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	7.15%	15.15%	25.09%	6.12%

Correlation

The correlation between QGRO and HQGO is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2023	0.91

The correlation between QGRO and HQGO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

QGRO vs. HQGO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QGRO	HQGO
Technology	37.1%	39.1%
Industrials	13.6%	6.7%
Healthcare	12.7%	9.0%
Consumer Cyclical	12.0%	14.1%
Communication Services	11.0%	13.4%
Financial Services	5.9%	6.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	4.4%
Energy	1.8%	4.2%
Utilities	0.9%	0.1%
Real Estate	0.9%	0.6%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.9%

Return for Risk

QGRO vs. HQGO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QGRO

QGRO Risk / Return Rank: 17
QGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
QGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
QGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 16
QGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
QGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 18

HQGO

HQGO Risk / Return Rank: 52
HQGO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
HQGO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
HQGO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
HQGO Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
HQGO Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

QGRO vs. HQGO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) and Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO). 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.

	QGRO	HQGO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	1.70	-1.21
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	2.33	-1.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.30	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	2.23	-1.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	9.18	-7.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QGRO vs. HQGO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QGRO Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the HQGO Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QGRO and HQGO, 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

	QGRO	HQGO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49	1.70	-1.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	1.29	-0.64

Drawdowns

QGRO vs. HQGO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QGRO drawdown since its inception was -32.56%, which is greater than HQGO's maximum drawdown of -20.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QGRO and HQGO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QGRO	HQGO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.56%	-20.85%	-11.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.54%	-10.40%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.86%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.23%	-3.56%	+0.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.67%	-2.52%	-5.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.04%	2.52%	+1.52%

Volatility

QGRO vs. HQGO - Volatility Comparison

American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF (QGRO) has a higher volatility of 4.37% compared to Hartford US Quality Growth ETF (HQGO) at 3.91%. This indicates that QGRO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HQGO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QGRO	HQGO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.37%	3.91%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	10.38%	+1.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.56%	13.67%	+1.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.08%	17.06%	+4.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.94%	17.06%	+5.88%

QGRO vs. HQGO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QGRO has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than HQGO's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

QGRO vs. HQGO - Dividend Comparison

QGRO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.20%, less than HQGO's 0.47% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
HQGO Hartford US Quality Growth ETF	0.47%	0.51%	0.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QGRO American Century STOXX U.S. Quality Growth ETF	0.20%	0.25%	0.25%	0.41%	0.46%	0.31%	0.22%	0.38%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QGRO and HQGO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, QGRO and HQGO 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.

Which is riskier, QGRO or HQGO?

QGRO has higher volatility (4.37%) compared to HQGO (3.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QGRO dropped -32.56% vs HQGO's -20.85%.

Which ETF is better, QGRO or HQGO?

On 1-year performance, HQGO leads with 23.12% vs 7.55% for QGRO. On fees, QGRO is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, HQGO has been the lower-risk option at 3.91%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QGRO or HQGO?

Over the 1-year period, HQGO has performed better with a 23.12% return vs 7.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QGRO or HQGO?

QGRO is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for HQGO.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QGRO or HQGO?

HQGO has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.20% for QGRO.

What is the main difference between QGRO and HQGO?

QGRO tracks iSTOXX American Century USA Quality Growth (USD)(GR), while HQGO tracks Hartford US Quality Growth Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: American Century and Hartford. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for QGRO and 0.34% for HQGO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HQGO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.49), 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.