HTD vs. VADGX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

HTD (John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund) and VADGX (Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - HTD is a Dividend fund managed by John Hancock, while VADGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 3 years, HTD returned 17.54%/yr vs 8.96%/yr for VADGX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HTD charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for VADGX.

Performance

HTD vs. VADGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (HTD) and Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTD achieves a 10.88% return, which is significantly higher than VADGX's 0.86% return.

HTD

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: -0.09%
• YTD: 10.88%
• 6M: 11.30%
• 1Y: 19.61%
• 3Y*: 17.54%
• 5Y*: 8.06%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

VADGX

• 1D: -0.57%
• 1M: 0.38%
• YTD: 0.86%
• 6M: 0.19%
• 1Y: 7.87%
• 3Y*: 8.96%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

HTD vs. VADGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HTD John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund	10.88%	15.87%	25.68%	-9.92%	-6.24%	7.40%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	0.86%	8.52%	10.69%	10.42%	-3.88%	3.62%

Correlation

The correlation between HTD and VADGX is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.55

Over the past year, the correlation between HTD and VADGX has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.55, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

HTD vs. VADGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTD

HTD Risk / Return Rank: 44
HTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
HTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
HTD Omega Ratio Rank: 34
HTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
HTD Martin Ratio Rank: 44

VADGX

VADGX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VADGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
VADGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
VADGX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VADGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VADGX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

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.

HTD vs. VADGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (HTD) and Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX). 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.

	HTD	VADGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	0.88	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.20	1.33	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.15	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.18	0.82	+2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.84	2.96	+5.88

HTD vs. VADGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTD Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is higher than the VADGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTD and VADGX, 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

HTD vs. VADGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTD drawdown since its inception was -69.79%, which is greater than VADGX's maximum drawdown of -15.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTD and VADGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTD	VADGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.79%	-15.75%	-54.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.18%	-11.07%	+4.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.94%	-14.73%	-6.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.57%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.90%	-1.31%	-0.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.78%	-3.45%	-5.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	3.06%	-0.84%

Volatility

HTD vs. VADGX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (HTD) and Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund (VADGX) have volatilities of 3.28% and 3.18%, 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

	HTD	VADGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.28%	3.18%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.96%	8.04%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.21%	10.36%	+1.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.77%	13.61%	+4.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.63%	13.61%	+9.02%

HTD vs. VADGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTD has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VADGX's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

HTD vs. VADGX - Dividend Comparison

HTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.51%, more than VADGX's 1.03% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HTD John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund	7.51%	7.51%	7.52%	8.73%	7.36%	5.80%	7.97%	6.06%	10.09%	8.85%	7.30%	7.06%
VADGX Vanguard Advice Select Dividend Growth Fund	1.03%	1.04%	1.98%	1.25%	0.84%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTD and VADGX in my portfolio?

HTD and VADGX have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HTD or VADGX?

HTD has higher volatility (3.28%) compared to VADGX (3.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTD dropped -69.79% vs VADGX's -15.75%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HTD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 0.88), 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.