FGROX vs. JESGX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

FGROX (Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class) and JESGX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, FGROX returned 14.02%/yr vs 3.87%/yr for JESGX. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FGROX charges 0.78%/yr vs 1.12%/yr for JESGX.

Performance

FGROX vs. JESGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class (FGROX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FGROX achieves a 29.98% return, which is significantly higher than JESGX's 15.94% return.

FGROX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.75%
• 6M: 18.84%
• YTD: 29.98%
• 1Y: 59.43%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 14.02%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

JESGX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.16%
• 6M: 10.66%
• YTD: 15.94%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 14.66%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: —

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

FGROX vs. JESGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FGROX Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class	29.98%	31.85%	20.04%	19.04%	-24.42%	3.91%	38.92%	28.71%	-11.85%	26.45%
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	15.94%	12.66%	11.64%	16.10%	-30.38%	1.18%	51.23%	37.96%	-5.17%	22.94%

Correlation

The correlation between FGROX and JESGX is 0.81, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.91

The correlation between FGROX and JESGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.81 (1 year) to 0.91 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FGROX vs. JESGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

FGROX

FGROX Risk / Return Rank: 85
FGROX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
FGROX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
FGROX Omega Ratio Rank: 72
FGROX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
FGROX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

JESGX

JESGX Risk / Return Rank: 64
JESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
JESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
JESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
JESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
JESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

FGROX vs. JESGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class (FGROX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX). 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.

	FGROX	JESGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.29	1.88	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.93	2.72	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.32	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.31	2.68	+1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	17.25	10.18	+7.08

FGROX vs. JESGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FGROX Sharpe Ratio is 2.29, which is comparable to the JESGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FGROX and JESGX, 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

FGROX vs. JESGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FGROX drawdown since its inception was -41.48%, roughly equal to the maximum JESGX drawdown of -42.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FGROX and JESGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	FGROX	JESGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.48%	-42.87%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.36%	-13.84%	-0.52%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.61%	-26.97%	-1.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.52%	-41.18%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.48%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.01%	-1.96%	-4.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.20%	-14.69%	+4.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.58%	3.49%	+0.09%

Volatility

FGROX vs. JESGX - Volatility Comparison

Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class (FGROX) has a higher volatility of 8.04% compared to John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX) at 5.30%. This indicates that FGROX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JESGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FGROX	JESGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.04%	5.30%	+2.74%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.90%	14.86%	+6.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.05%	19.83%	+7.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.94%	24.04%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.29%	24.38%	+0.91%

FGROX vs. JESGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

FGROX has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is lower than JESGX's 1.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

FGROX vs. JESGX - Dividend Comparison

FGROX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.76%, more than JESGX's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FGROX Emerald Growth Fund Institutional Class	8.76%	11.39%	13.92%	5.91%	8.13%	17.87%	8.04%	1.38%	11.36%
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	0.06%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	41.46%	17.95%	10.63%	37.80%	7.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FGROX and JESGX in my portfolio?

FGROX and JESGX have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FGROX or JESGX?

FGROX has higher volatility (8.04%) compared to JESGX (5.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FGROX dropped -41.48% vs JESGX's -42.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FGROX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.29 vs 1.88), 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.