FLCB vs HCRB
Franklin US Core Bond ETF vs Hartford Core Bond ETF
Which is better, FLCB or HCRB?
Nearly the same fund. FLCB costs less.
FLCB has a lower expense ratio. FLCB led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, HCRB over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | FLCB | HCRB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.29% |
| AUM | $3.1B | $437M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.50% | 4.22% |
| Holdings | 642 | 1,642 |
| YTD Return | -2.14%Best | -5.38% |
| 1Y Return | -2.11%Best | -5.81% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.58%Best | +3.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.62%Best | -1.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.8%Best | 6.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.4% | -19.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,694Best | $9,386 |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Hartford Funds |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2019 | Feb 19, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 20, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.6 years).
FLCB vs HCRB 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 6.6 years both funds cover.
FLCB vs HCRB Performance
Franklin US Core Bond ETF (FLCB) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) is an ETF from Hartford Funds. Over the past year FLCB returned -2.11% while HCRB returned -5.81%. Year to date, FLCB is down 2.14% versus a loss of 5.38% for HCRB.
Over three years, FLCB compounded at +4.58% per year against +3.63% for HCRB; over five years the annualized figures are -0.62% and -1.26% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, HCRB has the edge at -0.21% annualized vs -0.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HCRB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 6.3% compared with 5.8% for FLCB. 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 -20.4% for FLCB and -19.9% for HCRB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLCB charges 0.15% per year while HCRB charges 0.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $29 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLCB currently yields 4.50% against 4.22% for HCRB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 342 holdings in FLCB and 493 in HCRB, totalling 61.0% and 65.2% 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, 34 positions appear in both.
34 positions in common, counted across the 342 positions we hold weights for in FLCB and 493 in HCRB, against full books of 642 and 1,642.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLCB | Weight in HCRB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FNCL 6 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 6 | 1.80% | 1.69% | 0.11% |
| FNCL 5 10/11Fncl 5 10/26 | 1.70% | 1.28% | 0.42% |
| FNCL 3.5 10/11Fnma Tba 10/01/2049 | 1.10% | 1.07% | 0.03% |
| T 3.75 05/31/30Treasury Note (Otr) 3.75% May 31, 2030 | 0.49% | 1.37% | 0.88% |
| FNCL 2.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2.5 | 0.88% | 0.52% | 0.36% |
| FNCL 4.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac Tba 4.50% Due 04/01/2056 | 1.41% | -0.17% | 1.58% |
| FNCL 5.5 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2050-10-01 | 2.03% | -0.79% | 2.82% |
| FNCL 4 10/11Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2168-10-10 | 0.83% | 0.38% | 0.45% |
| T 1.375 08/15/50United States Treas Bds 1.375% 08/15/2050 | 1.03% | 0.11% | 0.92% |
| FNCL 2 10/13Fncl 2 10/20 Fncl 2 10/20 2.0% 10/01/2050 | 0.88% | 0.10% | 0.78% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FLCB and HCRB 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, FLCB or HCRB?
FLCB has an expense ratio of 0.15% while HCRB charges 0.29%. FLCB is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLCB or HCRB?
Over the past year FLCB returned -2.11% vs -5.81% for HCRB, so FLCB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), FLCB annualized -0.38% vs -0.21% for HCRB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLCB or HCRB?
HCRB has been the more volatile fund at 6.3% annualized versus 5.8% for FLCB. Worst drawdown: FLCB -20.4% vs HCRB -19.9%.
Should I hold both FLCB and HCRB?
FLCB and HCRB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLCB or HCRB?
FLCB yields 4.50% while HCRB yields 4.22%, so FLCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is HCRB better than FLCB?
FLCB has a lower expense ratio. FLCB led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, HCRB over the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.