JHSC vs. XLE

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

JHSC (John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF) and XLE (State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JHSC is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index, while XLE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Energy Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JHSC returned 7.29%/yr vs 20.44%/yr for XLE. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JHSC charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLE.

Performance

JHSC vs. XLE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHSC achieves a 12.41% return, which is significantly lower than XLE's 32.17% return.

JHSC

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 2.00%
• YTD: 12.41%
• 6M: 12.95%
• 1Y: 27.02%
• 3Y*: 14.81%
• 5Y*: 7.29%
• 10Y*: —

XLE

• 1D: 1.29%
• 1M: -1.14%
• YTD: 32.17%
• 6M: 29.80%
• 1Y: 45.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 20.44%
• 10Y*: 10.22%

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

JHSC vs. XLE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	12.41%	6.88%	9.74%	20.77%	-14.65%	19.55%	11.60%	24.43%	-12.50%	4.48%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	32.17%	7.88%	5.56%	-0.63%	64.32%	53.28%	-32.67%	11.74%	-18.22%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between JHSC and XLE is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 10, 2017	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between JHSC and XLE has dropped to 0.11 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

JHSC vs. XLE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JHSC	XLE
Financial Services	18.3%	-
Industrials	16.8%	-
Technology	14.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	14.1%	-
Energy	7.5%	100.0%
Healthcare	7.4%	-
Real Estate	6.0%	-
Basic Materials	5.1%	-
Utilities	4.2%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	-
Communication Services	3.0%	-

Return for Risk

JHSC vs. XLE — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHSC

JHSC Risk / Return Rank: 50
JHSC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
JHSC Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
JHSC Omega Ratio Rank: 45
JHSC Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
JHSC Martin Ratio Rank: 55

XLE

XLE Risk / Return Rank: 63
XLE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
XLE Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
XLE Omega Ratio Rank: 56
XLE Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XLE Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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. XLE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE). 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.21	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.84	-0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.35	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.75	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	10.92	-1.32
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. XLE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHSC Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the XLE Sharpe Ratio of 2.21. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHSC and XLE, 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	XLE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.21	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.79	-0.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.35	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.31	+0.09

Drawdowns

JHSC vs. XLE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHSC drawdown since its inception was -42.66%, smaller than the maximum XLE drawdown of -71.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHSC and XLE.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHSC	XLE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.66%	-71.26%	+28.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.63%	-12.05%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.16%	-20.14%	-5.02%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.21%	-26.04%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-66.81%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.04%	-6.15%	+6.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.78%	-17.98%	+10.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.78%	4.14%	-1.36%

Volatility

JHSC vs. XLE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) is 4.17%, while State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE) has a volatility of 8.25%. This indicates that JHSC experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHSC	XLE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	8.25%	-4.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.09%	16.58%	-5.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.25%	20.53%	-4.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.15%	26.02%	-5.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.21%	29.59%	-7.38%

JHSC vs. XLE - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHSC has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than XLE's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHSC vs. XLE - Dividend Comparison

JHSC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than XLE's 2.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JHSC John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF	1.00%	1.13%	0.96%	0.98%	1.13%	1.08%	1.12%	1.14%	1.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XLE State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.54%	3.28%	3.36%	3.55%	3.68%	4.21%	5.62%	6.72%	3.54%	3.03%	2.26%	3.39%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHSC and XLE in my portfolio?

JHSC and XLE have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHSC or XLE?

XLE has higher volatility (8.25%) compared to JHSC (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHSC dropped -42.66% vs XLE's -71.26%.

Which ETF is better, JHSC or XLE?

On 5-year performance, XLE leads with 20.44% vs 7.29% for JHSC. On fees, XLE is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, JHSC has been the lower-risk option at 4.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JHSC or XLE?

Over the 5-year period, XLE has performed better with a 20.44% return vs 7.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JHSC or XLE?

XLE is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for JHSC.

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

XLE has the higher dividend yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.00% for JHSC.

What is the main difference between JHSC and XLE?

JHSC is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while XLE is Energy Equities. JHSC tracks John Hancock Dimensional Small Cap Index, while XLE tracks Energy Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Manulife and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for JHSC and 0.08% for XLE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.21 vs 1.67), 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.