HTD vs. VDIGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HTD (John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund) and VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) are both Dividend funds. Over the past 10 years, HTD returned 8.34%/yr vs 12.30%/yr for VDIGX. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HTD charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VDIGX.

Performance

HTD vs. VDIGX - 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 Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HTD achieves a 10.11% return, which is significantly higher than VDIGX's 2.63% return. Over the past 10 years, HTD has underperformed VDIGX with an annualized return of 8.34%, while VDIGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.30% annualized return.

HTD

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: -1.53%
• YTD: 10.11%
• 6M: 8.09%
• 1Y: 18.96%
• 3Y*: 17.08%
• 5Y*: 8.04%
• 10Y*: 8.34%

VDIGX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 2.63%
• 6M: 2.55%
• 1Y: 8.31%
• 3Y*: 14.07%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

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

HTD vs. VDIGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HTD John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund	10.11%	15.87%	25.68%	-9.92%	-6.24%	32.36%	-16.54%	42.77%	-9.13%	16.47%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	2.63%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between HTD and VDIGX is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2004	0.55

The correlation between HTD and VDIGX shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HTD vs. VDIGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HTD

HTD Risk / Return Rank: 38
HTD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
HTD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
HTD Omega Ratio Rank: 28
HTD Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
HTD Martin Ratio Rank: 40

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VDIGX 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.

HTD vs. VDIGX - 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 Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). 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.

	HTD	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	0.86	+0.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.17	1.32	+0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.15	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	0.95	+2.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.61	3.67	+4.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HTD vs. VDIGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HTD Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is higher than the VDIGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HTD and VDIGX, 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

	HTD	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	0.86	+0.71
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46	0.71	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.79	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.62	-0.19

Drawdowns

HTD vs. VDIGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HTD drawdown since its inception was -69.79%, which is greater than VDIGX's maximum drawdown of -45.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HTD and VDIGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HTD	VDIGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.79%	-45.23%	-24.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.18%	-9.09%	+2.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.94%	-10.23%	-10.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.58%	-16.18%	-15.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-56.57%	-32.98%	-23.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.09%	-0.10%	-1.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.80%	-6.65%	-2.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.21%	2.36%	-0.15%

Volatility

HTD vs. VDIGX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (HTD) has a higher volatility of 2.66% compared to Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) at 2.33%. This indicates that HTD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDIGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HTD	VDIGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.66%	2.33%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.94%	7.61%	+1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.11%	10.06%	+2.05%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.76%	13.86%	+3.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.62%	15.70%	+6.92%

HTD vs. VDIGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HTD has a 0.01% expense ratio, which is lower than VDIGX's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HTD vs. VDIGX - Dividend Comparison

HTD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.43%, less than VDIGX's 23.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HTD John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund	7.43%	7.51%	7.52%	8.73%	7.36%	5.80%	7.97%	6.06%	10.09%	8.85%	7.30%	7.06%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	23.93%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HTD and VDIGX in my portfolio?

HTD and VDIGX have a correlation of 0.38, 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 VDIGX?

HTD has higher volatility (2.66%) compared to VDIGX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HTD dropped -69.79% vs VDIGX's -45.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HTD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.86), 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.