FPE vs. JHPI

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

FPE (First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF) and JHPI (John Hancock Preferred Income ETF) are both Preferred Stock funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 3 years, FPE returned 9.22%/yr vs 8.44%/yr for JHPI. Their 0.77 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. FPE charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.54%/yr for JHPI.

Performance

FPE vs. JHPI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE) and John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FPE achieves a 0.79% return, which is significantly lower than JHPI's 1.69% return.

FPE

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -0.55%
• 6M: -0.02%
• YTD: 0.79%
• 1Y: 5.35%
• 3Y*: 9.22%
• 5Y*: 2.72%
• 10Y*: 4.71%
• ALL TIME*: 4.77%

JHPI

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -0.34%
• 6M: 0.41%
• YTD: 1.69%
• 1Y: 5.17%
• 3Y*: 8.44%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.67%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
FPE First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF	$16.81M	$16.95M	$17.82M
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	$1.18M	$1.11M	$1.20M

FPE vs. JHPI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
FPE First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF	0.79%	9.21%	11.17%	6.84%	-12.77%	0.69%
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	1.69%	7.37%	10.54%	7.25%	-9.55%	0.88%

Correlation

The correlation between FPE and JHPI is 0.77, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 15, 2021	0.77

The correlation between FPE and JHPI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.77 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

FPE vs. JHPI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

FPE

FPE Risk / Return Rank: 51
FPE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
FPE Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
FPE Omega Ratio Rank: 62
FPE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FPE Martin Ratio Rank: 47

JHPI

JHPI Risk / Return Rank: 61
JHPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
JHPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
JHPI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
JHPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
JHPI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

FPE vs. JHPI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE) and John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI). 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.

	FPE	JHPI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.31	1.56	-0.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.86	2.17	-0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	1.71	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.33	6.22	-0.88

FPE vs. JHPI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPE Sharpe Ratio is 1.31, which is comparable to the JHPI Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPE and JHPI, 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

FPE vs. JHPI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPE drawdown since its inception was -33.35%, which is greater than JHPI's maximum drawdown of -13.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPE and JHPI.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPE	JHPI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.35%	-13.45%	-19.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.08%	-3.08%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.66%	-5.25%	+0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.35%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.01%	-0.74%	-0.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.30%	-3.64%	+0.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.96%	0.84%	+0.12%

Volatility

FPE vs. JHPI - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPE) has a higher volatility of 0.86% compared to John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI) at 0.80%. This indicates that FPE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JHPI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FPE	JHPI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	0.80%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.17%	2.61%	+0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.92%	3.39%	+0.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.63%	6.22%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.17%	6.22%	+3.95%

FPE vs. JHPI - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPE has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than JHPI's 0.54% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPE vs. JHPI - Dividend Comparison

FPE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.01%, more than JHPI's 5.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FPE First Trust Preferred Securities & Income ETF	6.01%	5.81%	5.68%	6.03%	5.67%	4.48%	4.88%	5.32%	6.14%	5.39%	5.97%	5.49%
JHPI John Hancock Preferred Income ETF	5.90%	5.73%	6.32%	6.44%	6.27%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPE and JHPI in my portfolio?

FPE and JHPI have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPE or JHPI?

FPE has higher volatility (0.86%) compared to JHPI (0.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPE dropped -33.35% vs JHPI's -13.45%.

Which ETF is better, FPE or JHPI?

On 3-year performance, FPE leads with 9.22% vs 8.44% for JHPI. On fees, JHPI is cheaper at 0.54% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPE or JHPI?

Over the 3-year period, FPE has performed better with a 9.22% return vs 8.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPE or JHPI?

JHPI is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for FPE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FPE or JHPI?

FPE has the higher dividend yield at 6.01%, compared with 5.90% for JHPI.

What is the main difference between FPE and JHPI?

They also come from different issuers: First Trust and John Hancock. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for FPE and 0.54% for JHPI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHPI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.31), 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.