AFK vs. JHID

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

AFK (VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF) and JHID (John Hancock International High Dividend ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. AFK is passively managed, while JHID is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, AFK returned 18.59%/yr vs 19.96%/yr for JHID. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AFK charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.46%/yr for JHID.

Performance

AFK vs. JHID - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFK achieves a -5.27% return, which is significantly lower than JHID's 14.58% return.

AFK

• 1D: -1.59%
• 1M: -7.21%
• 6M: -7.55%
• YTD: -5.27%
• 1Y: 23.33%
• 3Y*: 18.59%
• 5Y*: 5.70%
• 10Y*: 5.23%

JHID

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: -0.18%
• 6M: 10.79%
• YTD: 14.58%
• 1Y: 31.71%
• 3Y*: 19.96%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AFK vs. JHID - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	-5.27%	74.71%	12.10%	-12.11%	0.63%
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	14.58%	41.47%	3.62%	19.47%	-0.42%

Correlation

The correlation between AFK and JHID is 0.68, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.68
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 21, 2022	0.58

The correlation between AFK and JHID shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (3 years) to 0.68 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

AFK vs. JHID - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AFK	JHID
Financial Services	37.1%	28.6%
Basic Materials	34.1%	6.6%
Communication Services	12.5%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	4.8%
Energy	4.3%	6.0%
Industrials	3.4%	15.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	7.9%
Healthcare	0.5%	6.4%
Real Estate	0.2%	5.8%
Utilities	0.1%	5.8%
Technology	-	9.6%

Return for Risk

AFK vs. JHID — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AFK

AFK Risk / Return Rank: 28
AFK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
AFK Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
AFK Omega Ratio Rank: 29
AFK Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
AFK Martin Ratio Rank: 27

JHID

JHID Risk / Return Rank: 88
JHID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
JHID Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
JHID Omega Ratio Rank: 89
JHID Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
JHID Martin Ratio Rank: 87

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AFK vs. JHID - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) and John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AFK	JHID	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	2.45	-1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	3.42	-2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.44	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	3.78	-2.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.87	14.44	-11.57

AFK vs. JHID - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFK Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is lower than the JHID Sharpe Ratio of 2.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFK and JHID, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AFK vs. JHID - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFK drawdown since its inception was -62.46%, which is greater than JHID's maximum drawdown of -12.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFK and JHID.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFK	JHID	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.46%	-12.42%	-50.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.54%	-8.42%	-11.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.54%	-12.42%	-7.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-53.33%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.08%	-0.44%	-16.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.91%	-2.43%	-29.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.16%	2.20%	+5.96%

Volatility

AFK vs. JHID - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF (AFK) has a higher volatility of 6.50% compared to John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) at 3.19%. This indicates that AFK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JHID based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AFK	JHID	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.50%	3.19%	+3.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.42%	11.09%	+12.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.20%	13.03%	+14.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.45%	13.90%	+8.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.18%	13.90%	+8.28%

AFK vs. JHID - Expense Ratio Comparison

AFK has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than JHID's 0.46% expense ratio.

Dividends

AFK vs. JHID - Dividend Comparison

AFK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than JHID's 3.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFK VanEck Vectors Africa Index ETF	1.07%	1.02%	0.00%	2.27%	3.59%	4.17%	3.91%	6.34%	1.71%	1.99%	2.67%	2.16%
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	3.42%	3.13%	5.15%	5.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFK and JHID in my portfolio?

AFK and JHID have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFK or JHID?

AFK has higher volatility (6.50%) compared to JHID (3.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFK dropped -62.46% vs JHID's -12.42%.

Which ETF is better, AFK or JHID?

On 3-year performance, JHID leads with 19.96% vs 18.59% for AFK. On fees, JHID is cheaper at 0.46% per year. On volatility, JHID has been the lower-risk option at 3.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AFK or JHID?

Over the 3-year period, JHID has performed better with a 19.96% return vs 18.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AFK or JHID?

JHID is cheaper with a 0.46% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for AFK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AFK or JHID?

JHID has the higher dividend yield at 3.42%, compared with 1.07% for AFK.

What is the main difference between AFK and JHID?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and John Hancock. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for AFK and 0.46% for JHID.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.45 vs 0.86), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.