JHSC vs. SCHA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JHSC (John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF) and SCHA (Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Growth Equities funds - JHSC tracks the John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index while SCHA tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JHSC returned 7.04%/yr vs 7.13%/yr for SCHA. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. JHSC charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHA.

Performance

JHSC vs. SCHA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHSC achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly lower than SCHA's 19.79% return.

JHSC

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 2.04%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 6M: 10.59%
• 1Y: 24.10%
• 3Y*: 14.51%
• 5Y*: 7.04%
• 10Y*: —

SCHA

• 1D: -0.58%
• 1M: 4.77%
• YTD: 19.79%
• 6M: 19.32%
• 1Y: 40.27%
• 3Y*: 18.92%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 11.13%

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

JHSC vs. SCHA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	11.55%	6.88%	9.74%	20.77%	-14.65%	19.55%	11.60%	24.43%	-12.50%	4.48%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	19.79%	11.60%	11.16%	18.46%	-19.81%	16.45%	19.34%	26.50%	-11.79%	4.53%

Correlation

The correlation between JHSC and SCHA is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2017	0.97

The correlation between JHSC and SCHA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

JHSC vs. SCHA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHSC	SCHA
Financial Services	18.3%	15.7%
Industrials	16.8%	15.4%
Technology	14.1%	23.3%
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	9.0%
Energy	7.5%	5.5%
Healthcare	7.4%	13.5%
Real Estate	6.0%	6.0%
Basic Materials	5.1%	4.2%
Utilities	4.2%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	2.6%
Communication Services	3.0%	2.4%

Return for Risk

JHSC vs. SCHA — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHSC

JHSC Risk / Return Rank: 46
JHSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
JHSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
JHSC Omega Ratio Rank: 40
JHSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
JHSC Martin Ratio Rank: 52

SCHA

SCHA Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SCHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
SCHA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
SCHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
SCHA Martin Ratio Rank: 79

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.

JHSC vs. SCHA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) and Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA). 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.

	JHSC	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.25	-0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	3.16	-0.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.38	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	4.26	-1.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.69	15.66	-6.96
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHSC vs. SCHA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the SCHA Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHSC and SCHA, 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

	JHSC	SCHA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.25	-0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.33	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.49	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.57	-0.18

Drawdowns

JHSC vs. SCHA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHSC drawdown since its inception was -42.66%, roughly equal to the maximum SCHA drawdown of -42.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHSC and SCHA.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHSC	SCHA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.66%	-42.41%	-0.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	-9.50%	-0.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.16%	-27.29%	+2.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.21%	-30.79%	+5.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.41%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.80%	-0.58%	-0.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-7.58%	-0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	2.58%	+0.20%

Volatility

JHSC vs. SCHA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) is 4.16%, while Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF (SCHA) has a volatility of 5.08%. This indicates that JHSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SCHA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHSC	SCHA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	5.08%	-0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.11%	12.83%	-1.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.27%	18.01%	-1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.15%	21.93%	-1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.21%	22.71%	-0.50%

JHSC vs. SCHA - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHSC has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHA's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHSC vs. SCHA - Dividend Comparison

JHSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, which matches SCHA's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	1.01%	1.13%	0.96%	0.98%	1.13%	1.08%	1.12%	1.14%	1.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHA Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF	1.00%	1.26%	1.51%	1.42%	1.37%	1.19%	1.05%	1.39%	1.58%	1.24%	1.50%	1.48%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHSC and SCHA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, JHSC and SCHA 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, JHSC or SCHA?

SCHA has higher volatility (5.08%) compared to JHSC (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHSC dropped -42.66% vs SCHA's -42.41%.

Which ETF is better, JHSC or SCHA?

On 5-year performance, SCHA leads with 7.13% vs 7.04% for JHSC. On fees, SCHA is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, JHSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHSC or SCHA?

Over the 5-year period, SCHA has performed better with a 7.13% return vs 7.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHSC or SCHA?

SCHA is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for JHSC.

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

JHSC and SCHA have nearly identical dividend yields, around 1.01%.

What is the main difference between JHSC and SCHA?

JHSC tracks John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index, while SCHA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Small-Cap Total Stock Market Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: Manulife and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for JHSC and 0.04% for SCHA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.49), 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.