JHEM vs. EMEQ

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

JHEM (John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF) and EMEQ (Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds. JHEM is passively managed, while EMEQ is actively managed. Over the past year, JHEM returned 37.35% vs 119.00% for EMEQ. Their correlation of 0.86 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JHEM charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.86%/yr for EMEQ.

Performance

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (JHEM) and Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHEM achieves a 20.50% return, which is significantly lower than EMEQ's 60.87% return.

JHEM

• 1D: 2.55%
• 1M: 1.68%
• 6M: 12.12%
• YTD: 20.50%
• 1Y: 37.35%
• 3Y*: 19.32%
• 5Y*: 8.01%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.43%

EMEQ

• 1D: 3.28%
• 1M: -3.98%
• 6M: 35.98%
• YTD: 60.87%
• 1Y: 119.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 68.53%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF	$8.38M	$8.71M	$11.25M
JHEM John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	$936.06K	$1.86M	$1.55M

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
JHEM John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	20.50%	30.49%	-1.95%
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF	60.87%	69.78%	-0.73%

Correlation

The correlation between JHEM and EMEQ is 0.88, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2024	0.86

The correlation between JHEM and EMEQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHEM	EMEQ
Technology	18.0%	58.0%
Financial Services	11.0%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	6.2%	6.2%
Communication Services	3.8%	5.5%
Basic Materials	1.9%	1.6%
Industrials	1.5%	6.2%
Energy	1.1%	7.2%
Healthcare	1.1%	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	0.9%	2.7%
Real Estate	0.3%	-
Utilities	0.2%	0.9%

Return for Risk

JHEM vs. EMEQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JHEM

JHEM Risk / Return Rank: 64
JHEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
JHEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
JHEM Omega Ratio Rank: 63
JHEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
JHEM Martin Ratio Rank: 66

EMEQ

EMEQ Risk / Return Rank: 91
EMEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
EMEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
EMEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EMEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (JHEM) and Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ). 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.

	JHEM	EMEQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.96	-1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.19	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.46	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.04	4.56	-1.52
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.02	16.21	-7.20

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHEM Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the EMEQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHEM and EMEQ, 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

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHEM drawdown since its inception was -34.99%, which is greater than EMEQ's maximum drawdown of -26.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHEM and EMEQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHEM	EMEQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.99%	-26.25%	-8.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.34%	-26.25%	+13.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.16%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.17%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.53%	-17.20%	+11.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.87%	-4.73%	-5.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	7.37%	-3.22%

Volatility

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF (JHEM) is 8.47%, while Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF (EMEQ) has a volatility of 14.67%. This indicates that JHEM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMEQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHEM	EMEQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	14.67%	-6.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.83%	37.65%	-16.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.87%	40.47%	-17.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.50%	34.16%	-15.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	34.16%	-13.19%

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHEM has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than EMEQ's 0.86% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHEM vs. EMEQ - Dividend Comparison

JHEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.80%, more than EMEQ's 1.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EMEQ Nomura Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.71%	2.76%	0.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
JHEM John Hancock Multifactor Emerging Markets ETF	1.80%	2.39%	2.93%	2.87%	2.84%	2.71%	1.67%	2.37%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHEM and EMEQ in my portfolio?

JHEM and EMEQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHEM or EMEQ?

EMEQ has higher volatility (14.67%) compared to JHEM (8.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHEM dropped -34.99% vs EMEQ's -26.25%.

Which ETF is better, JHEM or EMEQ?

On 1-year performance, EMEQ leads with 119.00% vs 37.35% for JHEM. On fees, JHEM is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, JHEM has been the lower-risk option at 8.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHEM or EMEQ?

Over the 1-year period, EMEQ has performed better with a 119.00% return vs 37.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHEM or EMEQ?

JHEM is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.86% for EMEQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JHEM or EMEQ?

JHEM has the higher dividend yield at 1.80%, compared with 1.71% for EMEQ.

What is the main difference between JHEM and EMEQ?

They also come from different issuers: Manulife and Nomura. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for JHEM and 0.86% for EMEQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMEQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.96 vs 1.64), 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.