HFSI vs VTI
Hartford Strategic Income ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HFSI or VTI?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | HFSI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.47% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 2,432 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -5.30% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.11% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.44% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.31% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 15.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -25.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,672 | $17,616Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
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 VTI 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 VTI Performance
Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFSI returned -5.11% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, HFSI is down 5.30% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, HFSI compounded at +6.44% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.31% and +11.99% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.8% 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 -25.4% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFSI charges 0.49% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $3 annually, a gap of $46 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFSI currently yields 5.47% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.9% of VTI's money is in holdings HFSI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for HFSI, our book for it covers 54.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
5 positions in common, counted across the 303 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 2,432 and 3,524.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HFSI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| INTCIntel Corporation | 0.01% | 0.51% | 0.50% |
| CCitigroup Inc. Depositary Shares Each Representing A 1/1,000Th Interest In A Share Of 6.25% Noncumulative Preferred Stock, Series Ii | 0.02% | 0.30% | 0.28% |
| ARESAres Management Corp 6.75% Ser | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| WATWaters Corp. | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.06% |
| APTVAptiv Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFSI and VTI 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 VTI?
HFSI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $46 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFSI or VTI?
Over the past year HFSI returned -5.11% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFSI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 15.8% annualized versus 6.8% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: HFSI -19.3% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both HFSI and VTI?
HFSI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 VTI?
HFSI yields 5.47% while VTI yields 1.06%, so HFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HFSI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.