HTRB vs VTI
Hartford Total Return Bond ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, HTRB or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | HTRB | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.12% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 1,811 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | -1.31% | +12.57%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.76% | +17.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.55% | +20.87%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.28% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.9%Best | 16.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -21.1%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,861 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Hartford Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2017 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2017 to Sep 11, 2026 (9 years).
HTRB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
HTRB vs VTI Performance
Hartford Total Return Bond ETF (HTRB) is an ETF from Hartford Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year HTRB returned -0.76% while VTI returned +17.22%. Year to date, HTRB is down 1.31% versus a gain of 12.57% for VTI.
Over three years, HTRB compounded at +4.55% per year against +20.87% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.28% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.66% annualized vs +0.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.6% compared with 5.9% for HTRB. 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 -21.1% for HTRB and -35.0% 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HTRB charges 0.29% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $3 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HTRB currently yields 5.12% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,236 holdings in HTRB and 2,787 in VTI, totalling 77.3% and 90.6% 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 1,236 positions we hold weights for in HTRB and 2,787 in VTI, against full books of 1,811 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HTRB | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| DUKDuke Energy Carolinas Llc | 0.01% | 0.14% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HTRB and VTI 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, HTRB or VTI?
HTRB has an expense ratio of 0.29% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HTRB or VTI?
Over the past year HTRB returned -0.76% vs +17.22% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), HTRB annualized +0.30% vs +13.66% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HTRB or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.6% annualized versus 5.9% for HTRB. Worst drawdown: HTRB -21.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both HTRB and VTI?
HTRB and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, HTRB or VTI?
HTRB yields 5.12% while VTI yields 1.03%, so HTRB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than HTRB?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.