JHVTX vs. EMPTX

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

JHVTX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust) and EMPTX (UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund) are both Emerging Markets Diversified funds. Over the past 5 years, JHVTX returned 7.74%/yr vs 6.27%/yr for EMPTX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JHVTX charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.19%/yr for EMPTX.

Performance

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust (JHVTX) and UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund (EMPTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JHVTX achieves a 17.47% return, which is significantly lower than EMPTX's 28.33% return.

JHVTX

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: 17.47%
• 6M: 18.73%
• 1Y: 39.74%
• 3Y*: 17.86%
• 5Y*: 7.74%
• 10Y*: —

EMPTX

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: 3.69%
• YTD: 28.33%
• 6M: 31.38%
• 1Y: 62.36%
• 3Y*: 26.26%
• 5Y*: 6.27%
• 10Y*: —

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

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
JHVTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust	17.47%	32.01%	-2.45%	15.17%	-11.61%	11.24%	3.70%	10.85%	-13.26%
EMPTX UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund	28.33%	43.82%	2.51%	8.92%	-25.38%	-9.36%	24.79%	14.98%	0.55%

Correlation

The correlation between JHVTX and EMPTX is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.68
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2018	0.72

The correlation between JHVTX and EMPTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.74 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JHVTX vs. EMPTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JHVTX

JHVTX Risk / Return Rank: 85
JHVTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
JHVTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
JHVTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
JHVTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
JHVTX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

EMPTX

EMPTX Risk / Return Rank: 93
EMPTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
EMPTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
EMPTX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
EMPTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
EMPTX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust (JHVTX) and UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund (EMPTX). 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.

	JHVTX	EMPTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	3.73	-0.72
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.81	4.53	-0.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.55	1.67	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.16	4.83	-0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.83	19.09	-4.26
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JHVTX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the EMPTX Sharpe Ratio of 3.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JHVTX and EMPTX, 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

	JHVTX	EMPTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	3.73	-0.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.33	+0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.48	+0.04

Drawdowns

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JHVTX drawdown since its inception was -48.10%, roughly equal to the maximum EMPTX drawdown of -46.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JHVTX and EMPTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JHVTX	EMPTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.10%	-46.03%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.27%	-14.50%	+3.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.40%	-15.50%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.85%	-41.46%	+16.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.98%	-1.68%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.42%	-18.36%	+7.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.98%	3.55%	-0.57%

Volatility

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust (JHVTX) is 5.07%, while UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund (EMPTX) has a volatility of 7.90%. This indicates that JHVTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EMPTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JHVTX	EMPTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.07%	7.90%	-2.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.63%	16.15%	-3.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.63%	18.81%	-3.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.90%	19.29%	-4.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.25%	19.37%	-3.12%

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JHVTX has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than EMPTX's 0.19% expense ratio.

Dividends

JHVTX vs. EMPTX - Dividend Comparison

JHVTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, less than EMPTX's 1.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
EMPTX UBS Emerging Markets Equity Opportunity Fund	1.49%	1.91%	3.40%	3.20%	3.84%	11.93%	1.50%	2.75%	0.54%
JHVTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Emerging Markets Value Trust	0.98%	1.15%	4.55%	1.56%	4.10%	2.50%	2.16%	3.16%	3.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JHVTX and EMPTX in my portfolio?

JHVTX and EMPTX have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JHVTX or EMPTX?

EMPTX has higher volatility (7.90%) compared to JHVTX (5.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JHVTX dropped -48.10% vs EMPTX's -46.03%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EMPTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.73 vs 3.01), 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.