JHID vs. ESGN

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JHID (John Hancock International High Dividend ETF) and ESGN (Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. JHID is actively managed, while ESGN is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, JHID returned 22.68%/yr vs 19.86%/yr for ESGN. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JHID charges 0.46%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ESGN.

Performance

JHID vs. ESGN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHID achieves a 13.77% return, which is significantly higher than ESGN's 7.04% return.

JHID

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 2.19%
• YTD: 13.77%
• 6M: 16.64%
• 1Y: 33.80%
• 3Y*: 22.68%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ESGN

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: -0.01%
• YTD: 7.04%
• 6M: 10.06%
• 1Y: 25.40%
• 3Y*: 19.86%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: —

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

JHID vs. ESGN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	13.77%	41.47%	3.62%	19.47%	-0.60%
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	7.04%	39.85%	6.02%	20.88%	-0.90%

Correlation

The correlation between JHID and ESGN is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 22, 2022	0.91

The correlation between JHID and ESGN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHID vs. ESGN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHID	ESGN
Financial Services	28.1%	15.4%
Industrials	15.6%	15.8%
Technology	8.8%	7.0%
Consumer Defensive	8.5%	3.5%
Energy	6.6%	13.0%
Healthcare	6.5%	3.9%
Basic Materials	6.3%	1.9%
Real Estate	6.1%	0.2%
Utilities	6.1%	9.3%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	6.6%
Communication Services	2.7%	1.2%

Return for Risk

JHID vs. ESGN — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHID

JHID Risk / Return Rank: 82
JHID Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
JHID Omega Ratio Rank: 82
JHID Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
JHID Martin Ratio Rank: 81

ESGN

ESGN Risk / Return Rank: 56
ESGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
ESGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
ESGN Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ESGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ESGN Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

JHID vs. ESGN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN). 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.

	JHID	ESGN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.69	1.90	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.71	2.64	+1.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.35	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	2.67	+1.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.73	9.79	+5.94
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHID vs. ESGN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHID Sharpe Ratio is 2.69, which is higher than the ESGN Sharpe Ratio of 1.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHID and ESGN, 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

	JHID	ESGN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.69	1.90	+0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.59	0.60	+0.98

Drawdowns

JHID vs. ESGN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHID drawdown since its inception was -12.42%, smaller than the maximum ESGN drawdown of -41.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHID and ESGN.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHID	ESGN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.42%	-41.71%	+29.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.42%	-9.56%	+1.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.42%	-14.38%	+1.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-3.75%	+2.95%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-7.06%	+4.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.15%	2.60%	-0.45%

Volatility

JHID vs. ESGN - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock International High Dividend ETF (JHID) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN) have volatilities of 3.90% and 3.73%, 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

	JHID	ESGN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	3.73%	+0.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.40%	10.60%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.64%	13.45%	-0.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.91%	15.29%	-1.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	16.31%	-2.40%

JHID vs. ESGN - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHID has a 0.46% expense ratio, which is higher than ESGN's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHID vs. ESGN - Dividend Comparison

JHID's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.86%, less than ESGN's 9.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	9.22%	9.76%	3.11%	3.27%	3.57%	3.43%	2.64%	3.34%	7.25%	4.63%	2.52%
JHID John Hancock International High Dividend ETF	2.86%	3.13%	5.15%	5.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHID and ESGN in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, JHID and ESGN 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, JHID or ESGN?

JHID has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to ESGN (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHID dropped -12.42% vs ESGN's -41.71%.

Which ETF is better, JHID or ESGN?

On 3-year performance, JHID leads with 22.68% vs 19.86% for ESGN. On fees, ESGN is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, ESGN has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHID or ESGN?

Over the 3-year period, JHID has performed better with a 22.68% return vs 19.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHID or ESGN?

ESGN is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.46% for JHID.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JHID or ESGN?

ESGN has the higher dividend yield at 9.22%, compared with 2.86% for JHID.

What is the main difference between JHID and ESGN?

They also come from different issuers: John Hancock and Ameriprise Financial. Their fees differ too: 0.46% for JHID and 0.45% for ESGN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHID currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 1.90), 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.