JESVX vs. PDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JESVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust) and PDT (John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund) are both mutual funds - JESVX is a Small Cap Value Equities fund managed by John Hancock, while PDT is a Dividend fund managed by John Hancock. Over the past 5 years, JESVX returned 5.64%/yr vs 2.52%/yr for PDT. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JESVX charges 1.04%/yr vs 5.06%/yr for PDT.

Performance

JESVX vs. PDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust (JESVX) and John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JESVX achieves a 18.86% return, which is significantly higher than PDT's 3.84% return.

JESVX

• 1D: 0.97%
• 1M: 5.94%
• YTD: 18.86%
• 6M: 18.86%
• 1Y: 27.26%
• 3Y*: 12.05%
• 5Y*: 5.64%
• 10Y*: —

PDT

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -2.34%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.30%
• 1Y: 4.47%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 6.12%

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

JESVX vs. PDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JESVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust	18.86%	0.13%	5.97%	14.02%	-9.84%	26.18%	-6.96%	26.52%	-12.98%	-3.88%
PDT John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund	3.84%	7.64%	29.92%	-9.55%	-16.30%	25.98%	-14.20%	39.29%	-12.49%	20.68%

Correlation

The correlation between JESVX and PDT 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	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.41

The correlation between JESVX and PDT shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JESVX vs. PDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

JESVX

JESVX Risk / Return Rank: 54
JESVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
JESVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
JESVX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
JESVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
JESVX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

PDT

PDT Risk / Return Rank: 7
PDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Omega Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PDT Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

JESVX vs. PDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust (JESVX) and John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT). 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.

	JESVX	PDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	0.50	+1.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	0.75	+2.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.09	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	0.83	+2.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.93	1.92	+10.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JESVX vs. PDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JESVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is higher than the PDT Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JESVX and PDT, 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

	JESVX	PDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	0.50	+1.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.15	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.31	-0.08

Drawdowns

JESVX vs. PDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JESVX drawdown since its inception was -46.09%, smaller than the maximum PDT drawdown of -62.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JESVX and PDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	JESVX	PDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.09%	-62.39%	+16.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.17%	-5.38%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.55%	-22.06%	-4.49%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.55%	-40.44%	+13.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-62.39%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-4.11%	+3.97%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.08%	-10.02%	+0.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	2.33%	+1.94%

Volatility

JESVX vs. PDT - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust (JESVX) has a higher volatility of 5.86% compared to John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) at 3.08%. This indicates that JESVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JESVX	PDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.86%	3.08%	+2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.51%	6.93%	+7.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.37%	8.93%	+10.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	17.03%	+3.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.34%	25.16%	-1.82%

JESVX vs. PDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

JESVX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is lower than PDT's 5.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

JESVX vs. PDT - Dividend Comparison

JESVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.86%, more than PDT's 7.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JESVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust	9.86%	11.72%	6.53%	9.41%	21.62%	1.33%	12.54%	7.49%	16.31%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%
PDT John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund	7.75%	7.80%	7.77%	10.14%	9.04%	6.42%	8.43%	6.70%	8.69%	9.94%	9.15%	7.88%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JESVX and PDT in my portfolio?

JESVX and PDT 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, JESVX or PDT?

JESVX has higher volatility (5.86%) compared to PDT (3.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JESVX dropped -46.09% vs PDT's -62.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JESVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 0.50), 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.