HPF vs. HPI

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

HPF (John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II) and HPI (John Hancock Preferred Income Fund) are both Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds funds from John Hancock. Over the past 10 years, HPF returned 4.96%/yr vs 4.83%/yr for HPI. A 0.76 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.01% expense ratio.

Performance

HPF vs. HPI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF) and John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HPF achieves a 2.73% return, which is significantly lower than HPI's 3.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HPF having a 4.96% annualized return and HPI not far behind at 4.83%.

HPF

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -0.03%
• YTD: 2.73%
• 6M: 2.61%
• 1Y: 10.94%
• 3Y*: 12.81%
• 5Y*: 2.59%
• 10Y*: 4.96%

HPI

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 1.22%
• YTD: 3.15%
• 6M: 1.86%
• 1Y: 11.41%
• 3Y*: 13.30%
• 5Y*: 3.04%
• 10Y*: 4.83%

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

HPF vs. HPI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HPF John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II	2.73%	6.34%	14.41%	10.78%	-18.44%	17.90%	-7.67%	27.95%	-5.38%	14.74%
HPI John Hancock Preferred Income Fund	3.15%	6.54%	14.95%	8.34%	-15.79%	13.16%	-7.02%	30.89%	-4.79%	13.78%

Correlation

The correlation between HPF and HPI 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	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2003	0.76

The correlation between HPF and HPI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.76 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HPF vs. HPI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HPF

HPF Risk / Return Rank: 24
HPF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
HPF Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
HPF Omega Ratio Rank: 28
HPF Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
HPF Martin Ratio Rank: 20

HPI

HPI Risk / Return Rank: 19
HPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
HPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
HPI Omega Ratio Rank: 24
HPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
HPI Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

HPF vs. HPI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF) and John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI). 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.

	HPF	HPI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.35	1.26	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	1.84	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.24	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.53	1.26	+0.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.76	3.36	+1.40

HPF vs. HPI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HPF Sharpe Ratio is 1.35, which is comparable to the HPI Sharpe Ratio of 1.26. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HPF and HPI, 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

HPF vs. HPI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HPF drawdown since its inception was -66.73%, roughly equal to the maximum HPI drawdown of -67.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HPF and HPI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HPF	HPI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-66.73%	-67.67%	+0.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.18%	-9.12%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.91%	-18.91%	+2.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.24%	-30.10%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.76%	-57.99%	+3.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.75%	-2.62%	-0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.51%	-8.45%	-0.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.30%	3.40%	-1.10%

Volatility

HPF vs. HPI - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II (HPF) and John Hancock Preferred Income Fund (HPI) have volatilities of 2.66% and 2.78%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HPF	HPI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.78%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.74%	7.48%	-0.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.17%	9.10%	-0.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.48%	15.82%	-0.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.08%	24.32%	-2.24%

HPF vs. HPI - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both HPF and HPI have an expense ratio of 0.01%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HPF vs. HPI - Dividend Comparison

HPF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.40%, more than HPI's 9.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HPF John Hancock Preferred Income Fund II	9.40%	9.22%	8.95%	9.39%	9.45%	7.10%	7.80%	7.32%	8.96%	7.82%	8.30%	7.85%
HPI John Hancock Preferred Income Fund	9.22%	9.15%	8.91%	9.39%	9.23%	7.14%	7.53%	7.69%	8.92%	7.84%	8.26%	7.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HPF and HPI in my portfolio?

HPF and HPI 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, HPF or HPI?

HPI has higher volatility (2.78%) compared to HPF (2.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HPF dropped -66.73% vs HPI's -67.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HPF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.35 vs 1.26), 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.