HFGO vs QQQ
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HFGO or QQQ?
Nearly the same fund. QQQ costs less.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.9% 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 | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $161M | $437.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 94 | 208 |
| YTD Return | -1.65% | +12.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.91% | +11.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30% | +23.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.41% | +12.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.5% | 21.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,643 | $18,213Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.3% | 46.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 9, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 10, 2021 to Nov 11, 2026 (5 years).
HFGO vs QQQ 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 years both funds cover.
HFGO vs QQQ Performance
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HFGO returned -3.91% while QQQ returned +11.59%. Year to date, HFGO is down 1.65% versus a gain of 12.98% for QQQ.
Over three years, HFGO compounded at +20.30% per year against +23.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.41% and +12.74% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HFGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 21.0% for QQQ. 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 -44.6% for HFGO and -35.1% for QQQ. 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 QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $18 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFGO currently yields 0.00% against 0.43% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
70.8% of HFGO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 54.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings HFGO also owns.
Most of HFGO is already inside QQQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
20 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 94 and 208.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 75 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for HFGO (43.9% of the fund), and 20 for HFGO that do not appear in QQQ (22.5%).
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 QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 16.77% | 8.05% | 8.72% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 9.99% | 3.15% | 6.84% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.60% | 6.16% | 0.44% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 4.77% | 7.68% | 2.91% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 5.17% | 3.37% | 1.80% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.08% | 4.23% | 0.15% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.17% | 2.52% | 2.65% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.08% | 3.90% | 2.82% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc. | 2.50% | 1.96% | 0.54% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.53% | 2.93% | 1.40% |
70.8% of HFGO is already inside QQQ.
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 QQQ?
HFGO has an expense ratio of 0.59% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFGO or QQQ?
Over the past year HFGO returned -3.91% vs +11.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFGO or QQQ?
HFGO has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 21.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: HFGO -44.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HFGO and QQQ?
HFGO and QQQ 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 QQQ?
70.8% of HFGO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 54.2% of QQQ's is in holdings HFGO also owns. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFGO or QQQ?
HFGO yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.43%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HFGO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.9% 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.