HFSI vs VXUS
Hartford Strategic Income ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, HFSI or VXUS?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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 | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $158.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.26% | 2.51% |
| Holdings | 1,019 | 8,747 |
| YTD Return | -3.01% | +13.64%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.67% | +20.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.44% | +19.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.48% | +9.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 15.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -28.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,762 | $15,485Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | Jan 26, 2011 |
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 17, 2026 (5 years).
HFSI vs VXUS 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 VXUS Performance
Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFSI returned -2.67% while VXUS returned +20.82%. Year to date, HFSI is down 3.01% versus a gain of 13.64% for VXUS.
Over three years, HFSI compounded at +6.44% per year against +19.58% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are +1.48% and +9.14% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.1% 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 -28.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFSI charges 0.49% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $5 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFSI currently yields 5.26% against 2.51% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 302 holdings in HFSI and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 52.0% and 88.8% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 302 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 1,019 and 8,747.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HFSI | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHOP:CAShopify Inc | 0.00% | 0.32% | 0.32% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFSI and VXUS 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 VXUS?
HFSI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFSI or VXUS?
Over the past year HFSI returned -2.67% vs +20.82% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFSI or VXUS?
VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.1% annualized versus 6.7% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: HFSI -19.3% vs VXUS -28.9%.
Should I hold both HFSI and VXUS?
HFSI and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFSI or VXUS?
HFSI yields 5.26% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so HFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than HFSI?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS 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.