JHML vs. JHSC

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

JHML (John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF) and JHSC (John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JHML is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap Index, while JHSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JHML returned 11.75%/yr vs 8.54%/yr for JHSC. Their correlation of 0.88 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JHML charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.42%/yr for JHSC.

Performance

JHML vs. JHSC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) and John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHML achieves a 15.20% return, which is significantly lower than JHSC's 18.89% return.

JHML

• 1D: 1.67%
• 1M: 3.07%
• 6M: 12.51%
• YTD: 15.20%
• 1Y: 23.94%
• 3Y*: 19.61%
• 5Y*: 11.75%
• 10Y*: 14.12%
• ALL TIME*: 14.37%

JHSC

• 1D: 1.49%
• 1M: 3.34%
• 6M: 10.82%
• YTD: 18.89%
• 1Y: 26.98%
• 3Y*: 14.36%
• 5Y*: 8.54%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 9.34%

*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)
JHML John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF	$1.89M	$3.02M	$2.56M
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	$2.05M	$3.35M	$2.13M

JHML vs. JHSC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JHML John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF	15.20%	15.91%	19.84%	21.16%	-15.94%	26.90%	17.02%	30.94%	-6.45%	3.94%
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	18.89%	6.88%	9.74%	20.77%	-14.65%	19.55%	11.60%	24.43%	-12.50%	4.48%

Correlation

The correlation between JHML and JHSC is 0.85, 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.	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2017	0.88

The correlation between JHML and JHSC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHML vs. JHSC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHML	JHSC
Technology	30.7%	14.8%
Financial Services	13.6%	18.6%
Industrials	12.3%	17.0%
Consumer Cyclical	9.7%	14.1%
Healthcare	9.3%	8.6%
Communication Services	7.4%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	3.0%
Utilities	3.7%	3.8%
Energy	3.7%	6.1%
Basic Materials	2.6%	5.1%
Real Estate	2.3%	6.2%

Return for Risk

JHML vs. JHSC — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHML

JHML Risk / Return Rank: 79
JHML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
JHML Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
JHML Omega Ratio Rank: 77
JHML Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
JHML Martin Ratio Rank: 86

JHSC

JHSC Risk / Return Rank: 66
JHSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
JHSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
JHSC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
JHSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
JHSC Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

JHML vs. JHSC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) and John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC). 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.

	JHML	JHSC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.99	1.69	+0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	2.51	+0.28
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.30	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.03	2.82	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.63	9.91	+3.71

JHML vs. JHSC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHML Sharpe Ratio is 1.99, which is comparable to the JHSC Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHML and JHSC, 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

JHML vs. JHSC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHML drawdown since its inception was -36.13%, smaller than the maximum JHSC drawdown of -42.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHML and JHSC.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHML	JHSC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.13%	-42.66%	+6.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-9.63%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.20%	-25.16%	+6.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.47%	-25.21%	+1.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.13%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.24%	-7.64%	+3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.76%	2.73%	-0.97%

Volatility

JHML vs. JHSC - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) is 3.51%, while John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) has a volatility of 3.99%. This indicates that JHML experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JHSC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHML	JHSC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	3.99%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.58%	11.14%	-1.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.16%	16.10%	-3.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.36%	20.07%	-3.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.75%	22.07%	-4.32%

JHML vs. JHSC - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHML has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than JHSC's 0.42% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHML vs. JHSC - Dividend Comparison

JHML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.93%, less than JHSC's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JHML John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF	0.93%	1.06%	1.16%	1.39%	1.46%	1.08%	1.59%	1.73%	1.57%	1.44%	1.36%	0.38%
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	0.98%	1.13%	0.96%	0.98%	1.13%	1.08%	1.12%	1.14%	1.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHML and JHSC in my portfolio?

JHML and JHSC have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHML or JHSC?

JHSC has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to JHML (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHML dropped -36.13% vs JHSC's -42.66%.

Which ETF is better, JHML or JHSC?

On 5-year performance, JHML leads with 11.75% vs 8.54% for JHSC. On fees, JHML is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, JHML has been the lower-risk option at 3.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHML or JHSC?

Over the 5-year period, JHML has performed better with a 11.75% return vs 8.54%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHML or JHSC?

JHML is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for JHSC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JHML or JHSC?

JHSC has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.93% for JHML.

What is the main difference between JHML and JHSC?

JHML is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while JHSC is Small Cap Growth Equities. JHML tracks John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap Index, while JHSC tracks John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for JHML and 0.42% for JHSC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JHML currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.69), 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.