JIGTX vs. VEU

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

JIGTX (John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6) and VEU (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, JIGTX returned 11.32%/yr vs 10.40%/yr for VEU. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JIGTX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VEU.

Performance

JIGTX vs. VEU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6 (JIGTX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JIGTX achieves a 17.43% return, which is significantly higher than VEU's 13.01% return. Over the past 10 years, JIGTX has outperformed VEU with an annualized return of 11.32%, while VEU has yielded a comparatively lower 10.40% annualized return.

JIGTX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 5.97%
• YTD: 17.43%
• 6M: 17.30%
• 1Y: 30.81%
• 3Y*: 21.06%
• 5Y*: 6.97%
• 10Y*: 11.32%

VEU

• 1D: -3.06%
• 1M: 0.69%
• YTD: 13.01%
• 6M: 12.81%
• 1Y: 30.08%
• 3Y*: 19.26%
• 5Y*: 8.60%
• 10Y*: 10.40%

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

JIGTX vs. VEU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JIGTX John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6	17.43%	29.93%	10.83%	13.06%	-26.72%	9.81%	22.57%	28.47%	-11.94%	36.84%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	13.01%	32.35%	5.56%	15.84%	-15.58%	8.27%	11.10%	21.83%	-14.18%	27.40%

Correlation

The correlation between JIGTX and VEU is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2016	0.92

The correlation between JIGTX and VEU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JIGTX vs. VEU — Risk / Return Rank

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

JIGTX

JIGTX Risk / Return Rank: 41
JIGTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
JIGTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
JIGTX Omega Ratio Rank: 41
JIGTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
JIGTX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

VEU

VEU Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VEU Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
VEU Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEU Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEU Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

JIGTX vs. VEU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6 (JIGTX) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	JIGTX	VEU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	1.84	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	2.52	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.34	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.30	2.64	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.34	10.12	-0.78

JIGTX vs. VEU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JIGTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VEU Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JIGTX and VEU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JIGTX vs. VEU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JIGTX drawdown since its inception was -38.16%, smaller than the maximum VEU drawdown of -61.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JIGTX and VEU.

Drawdown Indicators

	JIGTX	VEU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.16%	-61.52%	+23.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.70%	-11.43%	-2.27%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.70%	-13.69%	-0.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.16%	-29.14%	-9.02%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.16%	-34.98%	-3.18%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.06%	+3.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.96%	-13.10%	+4.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	2.98%	+0.39%

Volatility

JIGTX vs. VEU - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6 (JIGTX) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF (VEU) at 7.10%. This indicates that JIGTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VEU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JIGTX	VEU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	7.10%	+1.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.76%	14.47%	+2.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.90%	16.44%	+2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.30%	16.30%	+1.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.19%	17.08%	+0.11%

JIGTX vs. VEU - Expense Ratio Comparison

JIGTX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than VEU's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

JIGTX vs. VEU - Dividend Comparison

JIGTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than VEU's 2.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JIGTX John Hancock Funds International Growth Fund Class R6	0.14%	0.16%	0.87%	2.75%	13.65%	15.45%	0.30%	1.12%	3.04%	0.57%	1.05%	0.00%
VEU Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF	2.56%	3.09%	3.24%	3.32%	3.12%	3.08%	2.00%	3.10%	3.27%	2.66%	2.96%	2.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JIGTX and VEU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, JIGTX and VEU 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, JIGTX or VEU?

JIGTX has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to VEU (7.10%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JIGTX dropped -38.16% vs VEU's -61.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEU currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 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.