BIT vs HFSI
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust vs Hartford Strategic Income ETF
Which is better, BIT or HFSI?
HFSI has been ahead.
HFSI has a lower expense ratio. HFSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | BIT | HFSI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.26% | 0.49%Best |
| AUM | $719M | $1.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.82% | 5.47% |
| Holdings | 1,589 | 2,432 |
| YTD Return | -7.15% | -5.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.64% | -5.11%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.43% | +6.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.39% | +1.31%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3% | 6.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -19.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,807 | $10,672Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Hartford Funds |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2013 | Sep 21, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
BIT vs HFSI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.1 years both funds cover.
BIT vs HFSI Performance
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (BIT) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds. Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% while HFSI returned -5.11%. Year to date, BIT is down 7.15% versus a loss of 5.30% for HFSI.
Over three years, BIT compounded at +2.43% per year against +6.44% for HFSI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.39% and +1.31% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BIT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.3% compared with 6.8% for HFSI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -23.7% for BIT and -19.3% for HFSI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BIT charges 4.26% per year while HFSI charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $426 vs $49 annually, a gap of $377 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BIT currently yields 11.82% against 5.47% for HFSI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 955 holdings in BIT and 303 in HFSI, totalling 81.9% and 54.9% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 41 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 258 days apart, BIT as of Dec 31, 2025 and HFSI as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
41 positions in common, counted across the 955 positions we hold weights for in BIT and 303 in HFSI, against full books of 1,589 and 2,432.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in BIT | Weight in HFSI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBGCN 7.375 01/31/32Hub International Ltd Corp. Note | 1.03% | 0.07% | 0.96% |
| UBS V9.25 PERP 144AUbs Group Agperpetual Bonds | 0.78% | 0.04% | 0.74% |
| ATHENA 6.5 02/15/30 | 0.75% | 0.06% | 0.69% |
| TIBX 9 09/30/29 144ACloud Software Group Inc 9% 30Sep2029 | 0.57% | 0.06% | 0.51% |
| MCFE 7.375 02/15/30 | 0.05% | 0.43% | 0.38% |
| ARDGRP 8.875 02/15/3Ardonagh Group Finance Ltd 8.875% 2/15/2032 | 0.40% | 0.05% | 0.35% |
| FREMOR 8.375 04/01/3Freedom Mtge. Hldg 8.375% | 0.06% | 0.38% | 0.32% |
| SATS 6.75 11/30/30Echostar Corp 6.75% 11/30/2030 | 0.40% | 0.03% | 0.37% |
| ENBCN V5.75 07/15/80Enbridge Inc Regd V/r Ser 20-a 5.75000000 | 0.38% | 0.04% | 0.34% |
| CYH 9.75 01/15/34 14Chs/Community Health Sys Sr Secured 144A 01/34 9.75 9.75 08/12/2025 9.75 2025-08-12 | 0.17% | 0.22% | 0.05% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BIT and HFSI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, BIT or HFSI?
BIT has an expense ratio of 4.26% while HFSI charges 0.49%. HFSI is the cheaper option, by $377 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BIT or HFSI?
Over the past year BIT returned -5.64% vs -5.11% for HFSI, so HFSI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BIT or HFSI?
BIT has been the more volatile fund at 12.3% annualized versus 6.8% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: BIT -23.7% vs HFSI -19.3%.
Should I hold both BIT and HFSI?
BIT and HFSI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, BIT or HFSI?
BIT yields 11.82% while HFSI yields 5.47%, so BIT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HFSI better than BIT?
HFSI has a lower expense ratio. HFSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.