SVBAX vs. JFIVX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SVBAX (John Hancock Balanced Fund) and JFIVX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust) are both mutual funds - SVBAX is a Diversified Portfolio fund managed by John Hancock, while JFIVX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by John Hancock. Over the past 5 years, SVBAX returned 9.17%/yr vs 13.97%/yr for JFIVX. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SVBAX charges 1.03%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for JFIVX.

Performance

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX) 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, SVBAX achieves a 10.58% return, which is significantly lower than JFIVX's 11.56% return.

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%

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)

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SVBAX John Hancock Balanced Fund	10.58%	15.69%	13.31%	18.22%	-15.79%	14.49%	15.97%	21.28%	-5.02%	11.79%
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 SVBAX and JFIVX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.94

The correlation between SVBAX and JFIVX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SVBAX vs. JFIVX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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.

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX) 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.

	SVBAX	JFIVX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.09	2.51	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.48	3.41	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.45	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	3.35	+1.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	22.51	15.64	+6.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVBAX Sharpe Ratio is 3.09, which is comparable to the JFIVX Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVBAX 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

	SVBAX	JFIVX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.09	2.51	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86	0.85	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.94	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.70	0.83	-0.13

Drawdowns

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVBAX drawdown since its inception was -40.81%, which is greater than JFIVX's maximum drawdown of -33.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVBAX and JFIVX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVBAX	JFIVX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-40.81%	-33.81%	-7.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.57%	-8.94%	+3.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.06%	-18.82%	+6.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.53%	-24.67%	+4.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-21.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.24%	-4.63%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.13%	1.90%	-0.77%

Volatility

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock Balanced Fund (SVBAX) is 2.51%, while John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust 500 Index Trust (JFIVX) has a volatility of 2.83%. This indicates that SVBAX 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

	SVBAX	JFIVX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	2.83%	-0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.52%	8.97%	-2.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.21%	11.95%	-3.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.78%	16.55%	-5.77%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.80%	18.34%	-7.54%

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVBAX has a 1.03% expense ratio, which is higher than JFIVX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVBAX vs. JFIVX - Dividend Comparison

SVBAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.29%, 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%
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 SVBAX and JFIVX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SVBAX and JFIVX 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, SVBAX or JFIVX?

JFIVX has higher volatility (2.83%) compared to SVBAX (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVBAX dropped -40.81% vs JFIVX's -33.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SVBAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.09 vs 2.51), 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.