JESVX vs. VRTVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JESVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust) and VRTVX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both Small Cap Value Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, JESVX returned 5.64%/yr vs 6.89%/yr for VRTVX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JESVX charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VRTVX.

Performance

JESVX vs. VRTVX - 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 Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX). 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 JESVX having a 18.86% return and VRTVX slightly higher at 18.94%.

JESVX

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

VRTVX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 18.94%
• 6M: 18.07%
• 1Y: 43.21%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 6.89%
• 10Y*: 10.48%

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

JESVX vs. VRTVX - 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%
VRTVX Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	18.94%	12.21%	8.07%	14.71%	-14.52%	28.06%	4.81%	22.40%	-12.83%	8.75%

Correlation

The correlation between JESVX and VRTVX is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.92

Over the past year, the correlation between JESVX and VRTVX has dropped to 0.64 - well below their long-term average of 0.92, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

JESVX vs. VRTVX — 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

VRTVX

VRTVX Risk / Return Rank: 78
VRTVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VRTVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
VRTVX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
VRTVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
VRTVX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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. VRTVX - 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 Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX). 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	VRTVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	2.54	-0.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	3.54	-0.67
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.43	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.69	5.34	-1.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.93	18.14	-6.20
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. VRTVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JESVX Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the VRTVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JESVX and VRTVX, 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	VRTVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.94	2.54	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.32	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.48	-0.25

Drawdowns

JESVX vs. VRTVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JESVX drawdown since its inception was -46.09%, roughly equal to the maximum VRTVX drawdown of -45.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JESVX and VRTVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JESVX	VRTVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.09%	-45.98%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.17%	-8.54%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.55%	-26.85%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.55%	-26.85%	+0.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.14%	-0.25%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.08%	-7.78%	-1.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.27%	2.51%	+1.76%

Volatility

JESVX vs. VRTVX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Small Cap Value Trust (JESVX) has a higher volatility of 5.86% compared to Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTVX) at 4.90%. This indicates that JESVX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRTVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JESVX	VRTVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.86%	4.90%	+0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.51%	11.98%	+2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.37%	17.95%	+1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.83%	21.67%	-0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.34%	23.71%	-0.37%

JESVX vs. VRTVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JESVX has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VRTVX's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

JESVX vs. VRTVX - Dividend Comparison

JESVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.86%, more than VRTVX's 1.58% 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%
VRTVX Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.58%	1.49%	1.84%	2.08%	2.15%	1.56%	1.54%	1.87%	2.17%	1.74%	1.52%	2.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JESVX and VRTVX in my portfolio?

JESVX and VRTVX have a correlation of 0.64, 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 VRTVX?

JESVX has higher volatility (5.86%) compared to VRTVX (4.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JESVX dropped -46.09% vs VRTVX's -45.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRTVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.54 vs 1.94), 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.