JESTX vs. VITAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JESTX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust) and VITAX (Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, JESTX returned 21.16%/yr vs 23.05%/yr for VITAX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JESTX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VITAX.

Performance

JESTX vs. VITAX - 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 Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX). 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 higher than VITAX's 33.66% return.

JESTX

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

VITAX

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: 19.87%
• YTD: 33.66%
• 6M: 32.51%
• 1Y: 62.61%
• 3Y*: 34.15%
• 5Y*: 23.05%
• 10Y*: 25.97%

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

JESTX vs. VITAX - 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%
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	33.66%	21.78%	29.26%	52.69%	-29.67%	30.36%	45.93%	48.72%	2.51%	30.44%

Correlation

The correlation between JESTX and VITAX is 0.85, 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.92

The correlation between JESTX and VITAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JESTX vs. VITAX — 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

VITAX

VITAX Risk / Return Rank: 81
VITAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
VITAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
VITAX Omega Ratio Rank: 78
VITAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
VITAX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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. VITAX - 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 Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX). 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	VITAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.95	3.18	+0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.37	3.86	+0.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	1.51	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.45	4.00	+1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.62	12.75	+6.87
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. VITAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JESTX Sharpe Ratio is 3.95, which is comparable to the VITAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JESTX and VITAX, 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	VITAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.95	3.18	+0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.91	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	1.05	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.67	+0.24

Drawdowns

JESTX vs. VITAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JESTX drawdown since its inception was -46.95%, smaller than the maximum VITAX drawdown of -54.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JESTX and VITAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JESTX	VITAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.95%	-54.81%	+7.86%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.63%	-16.38%	-2.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.33%	-27.38%	-3.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.95%	-35.10%	-11.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.10%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.18%	-8.02%	-1.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.88%	5.13%	-0.25%

Volatility

JESTX vs. VITAX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX) has a higher volatility of 9.69% compared to Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares (VITAX) at 6.01%. This indicates that JESTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VITAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JESTX	VITAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.69%	6.01%	+3.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.66%	16.09%	+4.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.73%	20.61%	+5.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.72%	25.39%	+3.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.57%	24.84%	+1.73%

JESTX vs. VITAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JESTX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VITAX's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JESTX vs. VITAX - Dividend Comparison

JESTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.56%, more than VITAX's 0.30% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%	0.00%	0.00%
VITAX Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares	0.30%	0.40%	0.60%	0.65%	0.91%	0.63%	0.82%	1.11%	1.29%	0.99%	1.31%	1.28%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JESTX and VITAX in my portfolio?

JESTX and VITAX have a correlation of 0.85, 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 VITAX?

JESTX has higher volatility (9.69%) compared to VITAX (6.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JESTX dropped -46.95% vs VITAX's -54.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JESTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.95 vs 3.18), 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.