JESTX vs. ALTEX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JESTX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust) and ALTEX (Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, JESTX returned 21.16%/yr vs 5.82%/yr for ALTEX. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JESTX charges 1.04%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for ALTEX.

Performance

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JESTX achieves a 41.17% return, which is significantly lower than ALTEX's 66.80% return.

JESTX

• 1D: 2.39%
• 1M: 21.53%
• YTD: 41.17%
• 6M: 38.10%
• 1Y: 83.41%
• 3Y*: 39.74%
• 5Y*: 21.16%
• 10Y*: —

ALTEX

• 1D: 6.08%
• 1M: 7.97%
• YTD: 66.80%
• 6M: 37.64%
• 1Y: 87.90%
• 3Y*: 15.23%
• 5Y*: 5.82%
• 10Y*: 14.28%

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

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JESTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust	41.17%	24.07%	37.90%	54.68%	-33.29%	8.37%	57.16%	37.93%	-0.61%	24.51%
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	66.80%	6.62%	-6.79%	-2.31%	-18.26%	-5.09%	83.88%	55.04%	-18.56%	23.62%

Correlation

The correlation between JESTX and ALTEX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.69

The correlation between JESTX and ALTEX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.70 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JESTX vs. ALTEX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JESTX

JESTX Risk / Return Rank: 92
JESTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
JESTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
JESTX Omega Ratio Rank: 86
JESTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
JESTX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

ALTEX

ALTEX Risk / Return Rank: 56
ALTEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
ALTEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
ALTEX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ALTEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
ALTEX Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX) and Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX). 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.

	JESTX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.95	2.44	+1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.37	2.66	+1.71
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.40	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.45	3.37	+2.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.62	8.88	+10.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JESTX Sharpe Ratio is 3.95, which is higher than the ALTEX Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JESTX and ALTEX, 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

	JESTX	ALTEX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.95	2.44	+1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.09	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.09	+0.82

Drawdowns

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JESTX drawdown since its inception was -46.95%, smaller than the maximum ALTEX drawdown of -75.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JESTX and ALTEX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JESTX	ALTEX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.95%	-75.48%	+28.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.63%	-28.91%	+10.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.33%	-68.78%	+37.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.95%	-75.48%	+28.53%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-75.48%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-37.26%	+28.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.88%	10.75%	-5.87%

Volatility

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX) is 9.69%, while Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund (ALTEX) has a volatility of 12.96%. This indicates that JESTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ALTEX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JESTX	ALTEX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.69%	12.96%	-3.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.66%	33.09%	-12.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.73%	39.96%	-14.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.72%	68.12%	-39.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.57%	51.36%	-24.79%

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JESTX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is lower than ALTEX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

JESTX vs. ALTEX - Dividend Comparison

JESTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.56%, while ALTEX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ALTEX Firsthand Alternative Energy Fund	0.00%	0.00%	1.50%	3.43%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	9.12%	0.05%	0.25%
JESTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust	15.56%	21.96%	0.00%	0.00%	100.46%	24.96%	9.28%	19.35%	18.35%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JESTX and ALTEX in my portfolio?

JESTX and ALTEX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JESTX or ALTEX?

ALTEX has higher volatility (12.96%) compared to JESTX (9.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JESTX dropped -46.95% vs ALTEX's -75.48%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JESTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.95 vs 2.44), 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.