HFSI vs PDI
Hartford Strategic Income ETF vs PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund
Which is better, HFSI or PDI?
Each has led over a different period.
HFSI has a lower expense ratio. HFSI led over 1Y and 5Y, PDI over 3Y 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 | HFSI | PDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Best | 5.12% |
| AUM | $1.2B | $7.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.47% | 17.60% |
| Holdings | 2,432 | 1,822 |
| YTD Return | -5.30%Best | -12.38% |
| 1Y Return | -5.11%Best | -17.65% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.44% | +9.49%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.31%Best | +1.05% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 14.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -24.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,672Best | $10,536 |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | PIMCO (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Diversified Sectoral Bond |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | May 25, 2012 |
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).
HFSI vs PDI 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.
HFSI vs PDI Performance
Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and PIMCO Dynamic Income Fund (PDI) is an ETF from PIMCO (US). Over the past year HFSI returned -5.11% while PDI returned -17.65%. Year to date, HFSI is down 5.30% versus a loss of 12.38% for PDI.
Over three years, HFSI compounded at +6.44% per year against +9.49% for PDI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.31% and +1.05% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PDI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.9% 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 -19.3% for HFSI and -24.0% for PDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFSI charges 0.49% per year while PDI charges 5.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $512 annually, a gap of $463 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFSI currently yields 5.47% against 17.60% for PDI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 303 holdings in HFSI and 25 in PDI, totalling 54.9% and 6.4% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 350 days apart, HFSI as of Sep 15, 2026 and PDI as of Sep 30, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 303 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 25 in PDI, against full books of 2,432 and 1,822.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFSI and PDI 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, HFSI or PDI?
HFSI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while PDI charges 5.12%. HFSI is the cheaper option, by $463 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFSI or PDI?
Over the past year HFSI returned -5.11% vs -17.65% for PDI, so HFSI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFSI or PDI?
PDI has been the more volatile fund at 14.9% annualized versus 6.8% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: HFSI -19.3% vs PDI -24.0%.
Should I hold both HFSI and PDI?
HFSI and PDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, HFSI or PDI?
HFSI yields 5.47% while PDI yields 17.60%, so PDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is PDI better than HFSI?
HFSI has a lower expense ratio. HFSI led over 1Y and 5Y, PDI over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.