HFGO vs MFSG
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF vs MFS Active Growth ETF
Which is better, HFGO or MFSG?
Nearly the same fund. MFSG costs less.
MFSG has a lower expense ratio. MFSG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. MFSG is less concentrated, with 53.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.3%.
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 | HFGO | MFSG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.49%Best |
| AUM | $161M | $390M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Holdings | 94 | 139 |
| YTD Return | -1.65% | +1.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.91% | +0.26%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.41% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 17.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -23.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $11,127 | $11,281Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.3% | 53.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | MFS Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 9, 2021 | Dec 5, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 5, 2024 to Nov 11, 2026 (1.9 years).
HFGO vs MFSG 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 1.9 years both funds cover.
HFGO vs MFSG Performance
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and MFS Active Growth ETF (MFSG) is an ETF from MFS Investment Management. Over the past year HFGO returned -3.91% while MFSG returned +0.26%. Year to date, HFGO is down 1.65% versus a gain of 1.52% for MFSG.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HFGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 17.8% for MFSG. 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 -25.2% for HFGO and -23.2% for MFSG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFGO charges 0.59% per year while MFSG charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $49 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFGO currently yields 0.00% against 0.07% for MFSG.
Holdings Overlap
73.0% of HFGO's money is in holdings MFSG also owns. 58.6% of MFSG's money is in holdings HFGO also owns.
Most of HFGO is already inside MFSG. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
21 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 66 in MFSG, against full books of 94 and 139.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 43 positions for MFSG that do not appear in our book for HFGO (38.6% of the fund), and 20 for HFGO that do not appear in MFSG (20.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HFGO | Weight in MFSG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 16.77% | 13.86% | 2.91% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 9.99% | 11.37% | 1.38% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.60% | 6.06% | 0.54% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 4.77% | 6.42% | 1.65% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.17% | 3.14% | 2.03% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 5.17% | 2.99% | 2.18% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.08% | 2.82% | 1.26% |
| ANETArista Networks Inc Common Stock | 2.83% | 1.83% | 1.00% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 3.87% | 0.44% | 3.43% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 3.06% | 0.40% | 2.66% |
73.0% of HFGO is already inside MFSG.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HFGO or MFSG?
HFGO has an expense ratio of 0.59% while MFSG charges 0.49%. MFSG is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFGO or MFSG?
Over the past year HFGO returned -3.91% vs +0.26% for MFSG, so MFSG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), HFGO annualized +5.78% vs +6.55% for MFSG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFGO or MFSG?
HFGO has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 17.8% for MFSG. Worst drawdown: HFGO -25.2% vs MFSG -23.2%.
Should I hold both HFGO and MFSG?
HFGO and MFSG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between HFGO and MFSG?
73.0% of HFGO's money is in holdings MFSG also owns. 58.6% of MFSG's is in holdings HFGO also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 66 in MFSG.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFGO or MFSG?
HFGO yields 0.00% while MFSG yields 0.07%, so MFSG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is MFSG better than HFGO?
MFSG has a lower expense ratio. MFSG led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. MFSG is less concentrated, with 53.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.