JLGSX vs. SVBAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JLGSX (John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio) and SVBAX (John Hancock Balanced Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds from John Hancock. Over the past 10 years, JLGSX returned 9.86%/yr vs 10.09%/yr for SVBAX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. JLGSX charges 0.32%/yr vs 1.03%/yr for SVBAX.

Performance

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio (JLGSX) and John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JLGSX achieves a 11.23% return, which is significantly higher than SVBAX's 10.58% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with JLGSX having a 9.86% annualized return and SVBAX not far ahead at 10.09%.

JLGSX

• 1D: 0.44%
• 1M: 4.48%
• YTD: 11.23%
• 6M: 11.85%
• 1Y: 24.69%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 8.25%
• 10Y*: 9.86%

SVBAX

• 1D: 0.56%
• 1M: 4.02%
• YTD: 10.58%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 24.76%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 9.17%
• 10Y*: 10.09%

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

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JLGSX John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio	11.23%	17.24%	11.87%	15.31%	-16.18%	15.60%	13.52%	22.94%	-7.32%	14.92%
SVBAX John Hancock Balanced Fund	10.58%	15.69%	13.31%	18.22%	-15.79%	14.49%	15.97%	21.28%	-5.02%	13.40%

Correlation

The correlation between JLGSX and SVBAX is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2014	0.94

The correlation between JLGSX and SVBAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JLGSX vs. SVBAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

JLGSX

JLGSX Risk / Return Rank: 70
JLGSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
JLGSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
JLGSX Omega Ratio Rank: 67
JLGSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
JLGSX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

SVBAX

SVBAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
SVBAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SVBAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SVBAX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
SVBAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SVBAX Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio (JLGSX) and John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX). 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.

	JLGSX	SVBAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	3.09	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	4.48	-1.05
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.46	1.58	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.28	4.56	-1.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.34	22.51	-8.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JLGSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the SVBAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JLGSX and SVBAX, 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

	JLGSX	SVBAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	3.09	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63	0.86	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.94	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.70	-0.07

Drawdowns

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JLGSX drawdown since its inception was -30.00%, smaller than the maximum SVBAX drawdown of -40.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JLGSX and SVBAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JLGSX	SVBAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.00%	-40.81%	+10.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.65%	-5.57%	-2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.39%	-12.06%	-1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.39%	-20.53%	-2.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.00%	-21.00%	-9.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.12%	-5.24%	+1.12%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	1.13%	+0.62%

Volatility

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio (JLGSX) has a higher volatility of 3.12% compared to John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX) at 2.51%. This indicates that JLGSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SVBAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JLGSX	SVBAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.12%	2.51%	+0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.13%	6.52%	+1.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.20%	8.21%	+1.99%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.12%	10.78%	+2.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.10%	10.80%	+3.30%

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JLGSX has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than SVBAX's 1.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

JLGSX vs. SVBAX - Dividend Comparison

JLGSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, less than SVBAX's 11.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JLGSX John Hancock Funds Multi-Index Lifestyle Growth Portfolio	3.76%	4.18%	1.99%	2.21%	12.77%	6.53%	3.74%	8.28%	9.99%	2.85%	2.96%	1.82%
SVBAX John Hancock Balanced Fund	11.29%	12.45%	3.72%	1.48%	1.60%	2.73%	1.60%	2.19%	8.06%	3.51%	1.70%	4.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JLGSX and SVBAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, JLGSX and SVBAX 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, JLGSX or SVBAX?

JLGSX has higher volatility (3.12%) compared to SVBAX (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JLGSX dropped -30.00% vs SVBAX's -40.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 2.46), 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.