HFSI vs SPY
Hartford Strategic Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, HFSI or SPY?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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 | HFSI | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.26% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 1,019 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -3.18% | +11.97%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.95% | +16.40%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.40% | +21.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.44% | +12.88%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 15.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -24.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,741 | $18,327Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2021 to Sep 14, 2026 (5 years).
HFSI vs SPY 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.
HFSI vs SPY Performance
Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year HFSI returned -2.95% while SPY returned +16.40%. Year to date, HFSI is down 3.18% versus a gain of 11.97% for SPY.
Over three years, HFSI compounded at +6.40% per year against +21.10% for SPY; over five years the annualized figures are +1.44% and +12.88% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.7% compared with 6.7% for HFSI. 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 -19.3% for HFSI and -24.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFSI charges 0.49% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $9 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFSI currently yields 5.26% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
At least 6.8% of SPY's money is in holdings HFSI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for HFSI, our book for it covers 52.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
SPY and HFSI share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 302 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 504 in SPY, against full books of 1,019 and 505.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFSI and SPY 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, HFSI or SPY?
HFSI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFSI or SPY?
Over the past year HFSI returned -2.95% vs +16.40% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFSI or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.7% annualized versus 6.7% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: HFSI -19.3% vs SPY -24.5%.
Should I hold both HFSI and SPY?
HFSI and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 HFSI and SPY?
At least 6.8% of SPY's money is in holdings HFSI also owns. Our book for HFSI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 302 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 504 in SPY.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFSI or SPY?
HFSI yields 5.26% while SPY yields 0.98%, so HFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than HFSI?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY 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.