HSFNX vs. FRBAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HSFNX (Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund) and FRBAX (John Hancock Regional Bank Fund) are both Financials Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HSFNX returned 9.19%/yr vs 9.65%/yr for FRBAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. HSFNX charges 1.58%/yr vs 1.22%/yr for FRBAX.

Performance

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) and John Hancock Regional Bank Fund (FRBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HSFNX achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than FRBAX's 7.78% return. Over the past 10 years, HSFNX has underperformed FRBAX with an annualized return of 9.19%, while FRBAX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.65% annualized return.

HSFNX

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.37%
• 1Y: 29.76%
• 3Y*: 20.59%
• 5Y*: 4.68%
• 10Y*: 9.19%

FRBAX

• 1D: 1.72%
• 1M: 1.46%
• YTD: 7.78%
• 6M: 9.09%
• 1Y: 24.80%
• 3Y*: 23.35%
• 5Y*: 5.26%
• 10Y*: 9.65%

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

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HSFNX Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund	7.11%	12.79%	10.76%	4.64%	-11.14%	42.76%	2.56%	19.91%	-15.88%	-0.20%
FRBAX John Hancock Regional Bank Fund	7.78%	11.07%	22.54%	-1.93%	-12.25%	40.51%	-10.11%	27.60%	-17.61%	10.32%

Correlation

The correlation between HSFNX and FRBAX is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 1998	0.88

The correlation between HSFNX and FRBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HSFNX vs. FRBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HSFNX

HSFNX Risk / Return Rank: 26
HSFNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
HSFNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
HSFNX Omega Ratio Rank: 23
HSFNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
HSFNX Martin Ratio Rank: 25

FRBAX

FRBAX Risk / Return Rank: 20
FRBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
FRBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
FRBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FRBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
FRBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 18

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.

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) and John Hancock Regional Bank Fund (FRBAX). 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.

	HSFNX	FRBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.25	+0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.91	1.81	+0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.23	+0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.33	1.87	+0.46
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.12	4.96	+1.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HSFNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the FRBAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HSFNX and FRBAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HSFNX	FRBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.32	1.25	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.20	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31	0.33	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.40	-0.22

Drawdowns

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HSFNX drawdown since its inception was -70.18%, roughly equal to the maximum FRBAX drawdown of -67.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HSFNX and FRBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HSFNX	FRBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.18%	-67.55%	-2.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.61%	-14.22%	+0.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.33%	-25.26%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.00%	-46.15%	+3.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.68%	-52.24%	+1.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.83%	-4.09%	-0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.02%	-12.29%	-13.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.18%	5.36%	-0.18%

Volatility

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Volatility Comparison

Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund (HSFNX) has a higher volatility of 5.69% compared to John Hancock Regional Bank Fund (FRBAX) at 5.23%. This indicates that HSFNX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HSFNX	FRBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.69%	5.23%	+0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.52%	14.50%	+1.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.06%	21.39%	+2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.44%	26.53%	+0.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.32%	29.31%	+0.01%

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HSFNX has a 1.58% expense ratio, which is higher than FRBAX's 1.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

HSFNX vs. FRBAX - Dividend Comparison

HSFNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.26%, more than FRBAX's 8.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRBAX John Hancock Regional Bank Fund	8.16%	8.82%	9.72%	2.65%	5.83%	5.26%	2.43%	1.75%	1.92%	1.76%	2.94%	4.42%
HSFNX Hennessy Small Cap Financial Fund	10.26%	10.99%	5.97%	4.63%	9.14%	0.97%	0.91%	3.43%	7.34%	8.19%	12.46%	7.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HSFNX and FRBAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, HSFNX and FRBAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, HSFNX or FRBAX?

HSFNX has higher volatility (5.69%) compared to FRBAX (5.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HSFNX dropped -70.18% vs FRBAX's -67.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HSFNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs 1.25), 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.