HFGO vs VTI
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HFGO or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $161M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 94 | 3,542 |
| YTD Return | -5.17% | +8.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.73% | +11.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.40% | +20.29%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.67% | +9.84%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.7% | 15.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,175 | $15,988Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 62.3% | 34.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Nov 9, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 10, 2021 to Nov 6, 2026 (5 years).
HFGO 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 years both funds cover.
HFGO vs VTI Performance
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFGO returned -5.73% while VTI returned +11.14%. Year to date, HFGO is down 5.17% versus a gain of 8.54% for VTI.
Over three years, HFGO compounded at +19.40% per year against +20.29% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +5.67% and +9.84% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HFGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.7% compared with 15.8% for VTI. 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 -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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFGO charges 0.59% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $3 annually, a gap of $56 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFGO currently yields 0.00% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
88.6% of HFGO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 39.5% of VTI's money is in holdings HFGO also owns.
Most of HFGO is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
37 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 3,464 in VTI, against full books of 94 and 3,542.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,092 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for HFGO (57.5% of the fund), and 2 for HFGO that do not appear in VTI (3.0%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 16.77% | 7.13% | 9.64% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 9.99% | 2.76% | 7.23% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.60% | 5.19% | 1.41% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 4.77% | 6.63% | 1.86% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.17% | 2.28% | 2.89% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.08% | 3.30% | 0.78% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 5.17% | 2.18% | 2.99% |
| LLYEli Lilly & Co | 3.87% | 1.34% | 2.53% |
| SNDKVSandisk Corp. | 3.06% | 0.35% | 2.71% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.01% | 2.18% | 1.17% |
88.6% of HFGO is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
HFGO has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $56 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFGO or VTI?
Over the past year HFGO returned -5.73% vs +11.14% 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, HFGO or VTI?
HFGO has been the more volatile fund at 22.7% annualized versus 15.8% for VTI. Worst drawdown: HFGO -44.6% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both HFGO and VTI?
HFGO and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between HFGO and VTI?
88.6% of HFGO's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 39.5% of VTI's is in holdings HFGO also owns. They hold 37 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 3,464 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFGO or VTI?
HFGO yields 0.00% while VTI yields 1.06%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HFGO?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 34.6% 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.