JESGX vs. VSGAX

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

JESGX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust) and VSGAX (Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, JESGX returned 3.87%/yr vs 5.49%/yr for VSGAX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JESGX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSGAX.

Performance

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with JESGX having a 15.94% return and VSGAX slightly higher at 16.30%.

JESGX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 4.16%
• 6M: 10.66%
• YTD: 15.94%
• 1Y: 31.83%
• 3Y*: 14.66%
• 5Y*: 3.87%
• 10Y*: —

VSGAX

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: -0.47%
• 6M: 8.19%
• YTD: 16.30%
• 1Y: 25.68%
• 3Y*: 14.84%
• 5Y*: 5.49%
• 10Y*: 11.26%

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

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	15.94%	12.66%	11.64%	16.10%	-30.38%	1.18%	51.23%	37.96%	-5.17%	22.94%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	16.30%	8.44%	14.94%	23.04%	-28.39%	5.70%	35.26%	32.76%	-5.69%	18.67%

Correlation

The correlation between JESGX and VSGAX is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.93

The correlation between JESGX and VSGAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (1 year) to 0.93 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JESGX vs. VSGAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JESGX

JESGX Risk / Return Rank: 64
JESGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
JESGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
JESGX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
JESGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
JESGX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

VSGAX

VSGAX Risk / Return Rank: 42
VSGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
VSGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VSGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VSGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VSGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX). 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.

	JESGX	VSGAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.31	+0.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.88	+0.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.23	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	2.36	+0.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.18	8.64	+1.54

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JESGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is higher than the VSGAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.31. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JESGX and VSGAX, 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

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JESGX drawdown since its inception was -42.87%, which is greater than VSGAX's maximum drawdown of -38.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JESGX and VSGAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JESGX	VSGAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.87%	-38.70%	-4.17%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.84%	-11.37%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.97%	-27.47%	+0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.18%	-38.36%	-2.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.96%	-4.22%	+2.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.69%	-8.50%	-6.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.49%	3.10%	+0.39%

Volatility

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust (JESGX) and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares (VSGAX) have volatilities of 5.30% and 5.30%, 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

	JESGX	VSGAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.30%	5.30%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.86%	15.79%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.83%	20.46%	-0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.04%	23.73%	+0.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.38%	23.02%	+1.36%

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JESGX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VSGAX's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

JESGX vs. VSGAX - Dividend Comparison

JESGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.06%, less than VSGAX's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JESGX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Stock Trust	0.06%	0.07%	0.00%	0.00%	41.46%	17.95%	10.63%	37.80%	7.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VSGAX Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.43%	0.54%	0.54%	0.67%	0.55%	0.36%	0.44%	0.57%	0.79%	0.81%	1.08%	0.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JESGX and VSGAX in my portfolio?

JESGX and VSGAX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JESGX or VSGAX?

VSGAX has higher volatility (5.30%) compared to JESGX (5.30%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JESGX dropped -42.87% vs VSGAX's -38.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JESGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 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.