HFSI vs VYM
Hartford Strategic Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, HFSI or VYM?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.26% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,019 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -3.01% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.67% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.44% | +17.42%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.48% | +12.12%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.7%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,762 | $17,718Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 21, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
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 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 5 years both funds cover.
HFSI vs VYM Performance
Hartford Strategic Income ETF (HFSI) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HFSI returned -2.67% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, HFSI is down 3.01% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, HFSI compounded at +6.44% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.48% and +12.12% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% 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 -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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFSI charges 0.49% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $4 annually, a gap of $45 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFSI currently yields 5.26% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of VYM'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.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 302 positions we hold weights for in HFSI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 1,019 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFSI 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, HFSI or VYM?
HFSI has an expense ratio of 0.49% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $45 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFSI or VYM?
Over the past year HFSI returned -2.67% vs +16.61% 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, HFSI or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 6.7% for HFSI. Worst drawdown: HFSI -19.3% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both HFSI and VYM?
HFSI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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 VYM?
HFSI yields 5.26% while VYM yields 2.22%, so HFSI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than HFSI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.