HCRB vs VYM
Hartford Core Bond ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HCRB or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | HCRB | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $408M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.08% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 787 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.97% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.97% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.22% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.15% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.2%Best | 15.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,438 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 19, 2020 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 20, 2020 to Sep 11, 2026 (6.6 years).
HCRB vs VYM 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.
HCRB vs VYM Performance
Hartford Core Bond ETF (HCRB) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HCRB returned -3.97% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, HCRB is down 3.97% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, HCRB compounded at +3.22% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -1.15% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +11.45% annualized vs +0.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 6.2% for HCRB. 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 -19.9% for HCRB and -35.1% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HCRB charges 0.29% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $4 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HCRB currently yields 4.08% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.2% of VYM's money is in holdings HCRB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for HCRB, our book for it covers 75.2% 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.
The two holdings books were reported 48 days apart, HCRB as of Aug 17, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 496 positions we hold weights for in HCRB and 603 in VYM, against full books of 787 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HCRB | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDPKEURig Dr Pepper Inc Company Guar 04/29 3.95 | 0.01% | 0.18% | 0.17% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HCRB and VYM 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, HCRB or VYM?
HCRB has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HCRB or VYM?
Over the past year HCRB returned -3.97% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), HCRB annualized +0.01% vs +11.45% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HCRB or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 6.2% for HCRB. Worst drawdown: HCRB -19.9% vs VYM -35.1%.
Should I hold both HCRB and VYM?
HCRB and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, HCRB or VYM?
HCRB yields 4.08% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HCRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HCRB?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.