JFIVX vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

JFIVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both funds - JFIVX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by John Hancock, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 5 years, JFIVX returned 13.78%/yr vs 13.51%/yr for SPY. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. JFIVX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

JFIVX vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with JFIVX having a 10.02% return and SPY slightly lower at 9.74%.

JFIVX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: 0.43%
• YTD: 10.02%
• 6M: 9.52%
• 1Y: 26.84%
• 3Y*: 20.62%
• 5Y*: 13.78%
• 10Y*: —

SPY

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 0.09%
• YTD: 9.74%
• 6M: 9.27%
• 1Y: 26.65%
• 3Y*: 21.27%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: 15.70%

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

JFIVX vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	10.02%	17.54%	24.61%	25.92%	-18.30%	28.31%	18.03%	31.05%	-5.00%	17.27%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	9.74%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	19.57%

Correlation

The correlation between JFIVX and SPY is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 2017	0.99

The correlation between JFIVX and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JFIVX vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

JFIVX

JFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 65
JFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
JFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
JFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
JFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
JFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 68
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

JFIVX vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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.

	JFIVX	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	2.16	0.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.92	2.91	0.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.39	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.02	3.01	+0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.67	13.54	+0.13

JFIVX vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JFIVX Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JFIVX and SPY, 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

JFIVX vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JFIVX drawdown since its inception was -33.81%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JFIVX and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JFIVX	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.81%	-55.19%	+21.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.94%	-8.88%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.82%	-18.76%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.67%	-24.50%	-0.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.38%	-1.75%	+0.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.61%	-9.04%	+4.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.97%	1.97%	0.00%

Volatility

JFIVX vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 4.76% and 4.64%, 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

	JFIVX	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.76%	4.64%	+0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.88%	9.75%	+0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.56%	12.43%	+0.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.65%	17.14%	-0.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.35%	17.99%	+0.36%

JFIVX vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JFIVX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JFIVX vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JFIVX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.32%, more than SPY's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	2.32%	2.56%	2.19%	2.44%	5.19%	5.17%	3.38%	2.97%	2.90%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.01%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JFIVX and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, JFIVX and SPY move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, JFIVX or SPY?

JFIVX has higher volatility (4.76%) compared to SPY (4.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JFIVX dropped -33.81% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 2.15), 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.