JHTFX vs. JFIVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JHTFX (John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) and JFIVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust) are both mutual funds - JHTFX is a High Yield Muni fund managed by John Hancock, while JFIVX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by John Hancock. Over the past 5 years, JHTFX returned 0.40%/yr vs 13.97%/yr for JFIVX. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JHTFX charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for JFIVX.

Performance

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (JHTFX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHTFX achieves a 2.76% return, which is significantly lower than JFIVX's 11.56% return.

JHTFX

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 1.17%
• YTD: 2.76%
• 6M: 3.19%
• 1Y: 7.32%
• 3Y*: 5.41%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 2.39%

JFIVX

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 5.77%
• YTD: 11.56%
• 6M: 11.58%
• 1Y: 28.63%
• 3Y*: 22.40%
• 5Y*: 13.97%
• 10Y*: —

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

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JHTFX John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	2.76%	3.07%	6.57%	6.84%	-16.77%	5.69%	4.65%	9.50%	0.61%	6.53%
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	11.56%	17.54%	24.61%	25.92%	-18.30%	28.31%	18.03%	31.05%	-5.00%	17.27%

Correlation

The correlation between JHTFX and JFIVX is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.05

The correlation between JHTFX and JFIVX shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JHTFX vs. JFIVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHTFX

JHTFX Risk / Return Rank: 41
JHTFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
JHTFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
JHTFX Omega Ratio Rank: 53
JHTFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
JHTFX Martin Ratio Rank: 32

JFIVX

JFIVX Risk / Return Rank: 73
JFIVX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
JFIVX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
JFIVX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
JFIVX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
JFIVX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (JHTFX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX). 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.

	JHTFX	JFIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	2.51	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.95	3.41	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.45	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	3.35	-1.10
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.19	15.64	-8.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHTFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is comparable to the JFIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHTFX and JFIVX, 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

	JHTFX	JFIVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.82	2.51	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.85	-0.78
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.95	0.83	+0.12

Drawdowns

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHTFX drawdown since its inception was -22.40%, smaller than the maximum JFIVX drawdown of -33.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHTFX and JFIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHTFX	JFIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.40%	-33.81%	+11.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.20%	-8.94%	+5.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.09%	-18.82%	+9.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.40%	-24.67%	+2.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.90%	-4.63%	+1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.00%	1.90%	-0.90%

Volatility

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (JHTFX) is 1.46%, while John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that JHTFX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JFIVX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHTFX	JFIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.46%	2.83%	-1.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.87%	8.97%	-6.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.96%	11.95%	-7.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	5.89%	16.55%	-10.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.58%	18.34%	-12.76%

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHTFX has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than JFIVX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHTFX vs. JFIVX - Dividend Comparison

JHTFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, more than JFIVX's 2.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JFIVX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust	2.29%	2.56%	2.19%	2.44%	5.19%	5.17%	3.38%	2.97%	2.90%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%
JHTFX John Hancock High Yield Municipal Bond Fund	5.07%	6.24%	4.03%	3.29%	3.48%	3.44%	3.76%	6.05%	4.45%	4.55%	4.43%	4.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHTFX and JFIVX in my portfolio?

JHTFX and JFIVX have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHTFX or JFIVX?

JFIVX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to JHTFX (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHTFX dropped -22.40% vs JFIVX's -33.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JFIVX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.51 vs 1.82), 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.