HFGO vs VYM
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HFGO or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HFGO led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $199M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 49 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +8.55% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.53% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.02%Best | +17.24% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.86% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $14,747 | $16,560Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.3% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Nov 9, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 10, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (4.8 years).
HFGO 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 4.8 years both funds cover.
HFGO vs VYM Performance
Hartford Large Cap Growth ETF (HFGO) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFGO returned +9.53% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, HFGO is up 8.55% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, HFGO compounded at +25.02% per year against +17.24% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HFGO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 13.8% for VYM. 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 -15.8% 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 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFGO charges 0.59% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $4 annually, a gap of $55 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFGO currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
6.0% of HFGO's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 7.4% of VYM's money is in holdings HFGO also owns.
VYM and HFGO share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 557 in VYM, against full books of 49 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 526 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for HFGO (89.7% of the fund), and 38 for HFGO that do not appear in VYM (85.8%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFGO 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, HFGO or VYM?
HFGO has an expense ratio of 0.59% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $55 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFGO or VYM?
Over the past year HFGO returned +9.53% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFGO or VYM?
HFGO has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 13.8% for VYM. Worst drawdown: HFGO -44.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both HFGO and VYM?
HFGO and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 VYM?
7.4% of VYM's money is in holdings HFGO also owns. 7.4% of VYM's is in holdings HFGO also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in HFGO and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFGO or VYM?
HFGO yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HFGO?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. HFGO led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.