POVSX vs. FIDAX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

POVSX (Putnam International Equity Fund) and FIDAX (John Hancock Financial Industries Fund) are both mutual funds - POVSX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Putnam, while FIDAX is a Financials Equities fund managed by BlackRock. Over the past 10 years, POVSX returned 10.03%/yr vs 10.47%/yr for FIDAX. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. POVSX charges 1.25%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for FIDAX.

Performance

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Putnam International Equity Fund (POVSX) and John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (FIDAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, POVSX achieves a 11.14% return, which is significantly higher than FIDAX's 0.81% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with POVSX having a 10.03% annualized return and FIDAX not far ahead at 10.47%.

POVSX

• 1D: 3.06%
• 1M: 2.07%
• YTD: 11.14%
• 6M: 12.50%
• 1Y: 27.38%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 9.35%
• 10Y*: 10.03%

FIDAX

• 1D: 1.40%
• 1M: 3.15%
• YTD: 0.81%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 12.08%
• 3Y*: 18.93%
• 5Y*: 7.07%
• 10Y*: 10.47%

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

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
POVSX Putnam International Equity Fund	11.14%	37.27%	3.57%	18.65%	-14.84%	8.95%	11.78%	25.50%	-19.46%	26.47%
FIDAX John Hancock Financial Industries Fund	0.81%	12.05%	30.09%	5.01%	-14.17%	28.80%	1.58%	31.21%	-15.30%	11.00%

Correlation

The correlation between POVSX and FIDAX is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 14, 1996	0.61

The correlation between POVSX and FIDAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

POVSX vs. FIDAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

POVSX

POVSX Risk / Return Rank: 44
POVSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
POVSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
POVSX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
POVSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
POVSX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

FIDAX

FIDAX Risk / Return Rank: 10
FIDAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
FIDAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
FIDAX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
FIDAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
FIDAX Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Putnam International Equity Fund (POVSX) and John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (FIDAX). 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.

	POVSX	FIDAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	0.63	+1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	0.94	+1.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.12	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	0.73	+1.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.20	2.04	+6.16

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current POVSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is higher than the FIDAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of POVSX and FIDAX, 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

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum POVSX drawdown since its inception was -62.97%, smaller than the maximum FIDAX drawdown of -70.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for POVSX and FIDAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	POVSX	FIDAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-62.97%	-70.42%	+7.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.20%	-13.82%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.36%	-19.35%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.24%	-30.89%	-0.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.58%	-42.09%	+5.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.45%	-2.62%	+1.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.38%	-14.06%	-0.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.24%	4.95%	-1.71%

Volatility

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Volatility Comparison

Putnam International Equity Fund (POVSX) has a higher volatility of 5.66% compared to John Hancock Financial Industries Fund (FIDAX) at 4.49%. This indicates that POVSX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FIDAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	POVSX	FIDAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.66%	4.49%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.65%	12.56%	+1.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.40%	16.18%	+0.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	20.73%	-4.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.98%	21.99%	-5.01%

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

POVSX has a 1.25% expense ratio, which is higher than FIDAX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

POVSX vs. FIDAX - Dividend Comparison

POVSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.54%, less than FIDAX's 47.80% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FIDAX John Hancock Financial Industries Fund	47.80%	48.19%	10.24%	1.91%	11.22%	23.08%	5.41%	7.56%	7.72%	6.10%	6.01%	0.93%
POVSX Putnam International Equity Fund	9.54%	10.60%	5.33%	1.88%	0.00%	14.17%	2.56%	1.58%	6.42%	0.32%	3.09%	2.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both POVSX and FIDAX in my portfolio?

POVSX and FIDAX have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, POVSX or FIDAX?

POVSX has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to FIDAX (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, POVSX dropped -62.97% vs FIDAX's -70.42%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

POVSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 0.63), 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.