JHML vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JHML (John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JHML is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JHML returned 14.24%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. JHML charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

JHML vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHML achieves a 11.62% return, which is significantly higher than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, JHML has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 14.24%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

JHML

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.79%
• YTD: 11.62%
• 6M: 11.80%
• 1Y: 26.67%
• 3Y*: 20.37%
• 5Y*: 11.88%
• 10Y*: 14.24%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

JHML vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JHML John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF	11.62%	15.91%	19.84%	21.16%	-15.94%	26.90%	17.02%	30.94%	-6.45%	21.52%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between JHML and SPY is 0.95 - 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	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 2015	0.97

The correlation between JHML and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.95 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHML vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHML	SPY
Technology	27.8%	35.9%
Financial Services	13.8%	11.8%
Industrials	12.2%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	10.3%
Healthcare	9.0%	8.4%
Communication Services	8.4%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.1%	4.8%
Energy	4.3%	3.6%
Utilities	4.0%	2.4%
Basic Materials	2.8%	1.8%
Real Estate	2.4%	1.9%

Return for Risk

JHML vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHML

JHML Risk / Return Rank: 72
JHML Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
JHML Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
JHML Omega Ratio Rank: 71
JHML Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
JHML Martin Ratio Rank: 80

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

JHML vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	JHML	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.34	2.38	-0.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.24	+0.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.43	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.37	3.16	+0.21
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.61	14.72	+0.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHML vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHML Sharpe Ratio is 2.34, which is comparable to the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHML 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JHML	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.34	2.38	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.82	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.87	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.81	0.59	+0.23

Drawdowns

JHML vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHML drawdown since its inception was -36.13%, smaller than the maximum SPY drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHML and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHML	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.13%	-55.19%	+19.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.95%	-8.88%	+0.93%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.20%	-18.76%	+0.56%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.47%	-24.50%	+1.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.13%	-33.72%	-2.41%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-0.70%	+0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.29%	-9.05%	+4.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.71%	1.91%	-0.20%

Volatility

JHML vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF (JHML) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) have volatilities of 2.84% and 2.84%, 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

	JHML	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.84%	2.84%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.70%	8.90%	-0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.48%	11.83%	-0.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.29%	17.05%	-0.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.76%	17.94%	-0.18%

JHML vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHML has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHML vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JHML's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.95%, less than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JHML John Hancock Multifactor Large Cap ETF	0.95%	1.06%	1.16%	1.39%	1.46%	1.08%	1.59%	1.73%	1.57%	1.44%	1.36%	0.38%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	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 JHML and SPY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, JHML 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, JHML or SPY?

SPY has higher volatility (2.84%) compared to JHML (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHML dropped -36.13% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, JHML or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 14.24% for JHML. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHML or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 14.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHML or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.29% for JHML.

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

SPY has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.95% for JHML.

What is the main difference between JHML and SPY?

JHML is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while SPY is S&P 500. JHML tracks John Hancock Dimensional Large Cap Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Manulife and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.29% for JHML and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 2.34), 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.