USGLX vs. PDT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USGLX (John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund) and PDT (John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund) are both mutual funds - USGLX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by John Hancock, while PDT is a Dividend fund managed by John Hancock. Over the past 10 years, USGLX returned 11.69%/yr vs 6.12%/yr for PDT. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. USGLX charges 1.13%/yr vs 5.06%/yr for PDT.

Performance

USGLX vs. PDT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund (USGLX) and John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USGLX achieves a -1.51% return, which is significantly lower than PDT's 3.84% return. Over the past 10 years, USGLX has outperformed PDT with an annualized return of 11.69%, while PDT has yielded a comparatively lower 6.12% annualized return.

USGLX

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: 2.58%
• YTD: -1.51%
• 6M: -0.18%
• 1Y: 0.75%
• 3Y*: 10.66%
• 5Y*: 4.02%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

PDT

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -2.34%
• YTD: 3.84%
• 6M: 3.30%
• 1Y: 4.47%
• 3Y*: 12.74%
• 5Y*: 2.52%
• 10Y*: 6.12%

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

USGLX vs. PDT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USGLX John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund	-1.51%	2.94%	18.17%	29.14%	-29.76%	19.18%	35.40%	33.07%	3.35%	25.38%
PDT John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund	3.84%	7.64%	29.92%	-9.55%	-16.30%	25.98%	-14.20%	39.29%	-12.49%	21.22%

Correlation

The correlation between USGLX and PDT is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 1995	0.30

The correlation between USGLX and PDT shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (1 year) to 0.44 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

USGLX vs. PDT — Risk / Return Rank

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

USGLX

USGLX Risk / Return Rank: 3
USGLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
USGLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
USGLX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
USGLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
USGLX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

PDT

PDT Risk / Return Rank: 7
PDT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Omega Ratio Rank: 6
PDT Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
PDT Martin Ratio Rank: 7

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.

USGLX vs. PDT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund (USGLX) and John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT). 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.

	USGLX	PDT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	0.50	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.18	0.75	-0.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.09	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.05	0.83	-0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.16	1.92	-1.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USGLX vs. PDT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USGLX Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is lower than the PDT Sharpe Ratio of 0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USGLX and PDT, 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

	USGLX	PDT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06	0.50	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19	0.15	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.24	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	0.31	+0.19

Drawdowns

USGLX vs. PDT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USGLX drawdown since its inception was -46.82%, smaller than the maximum PDT drawdown of -62.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USGLX and PDT.

Drawdown Indicators

	USGLX	PDT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.82%	-62.39%	+15.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.11%	-5.38%	-10.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.58%	-22.06%	-3.52%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.80%	-40.44%	+3.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.80%	-62.39%	+25.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.32%	-4.11%	-8.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.40%	-10.02%	+2.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.52%	2.33%	+3.19%

Volatility

USGLX vs. PDT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund (USGLX) is 2.79%, while John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) has a volatility of 3.08%. This indicates that USGLX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PDT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USGLX	PDT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.79%	3.08%	-0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.08%	6.93%	+3.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.32%	8.93%	+4.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.00%	17.03%	+3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.26%	25.16%	-4.90%

USGLX vs. PDT - Expense Ratio Comparison

USGLX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PDT's 5.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

USGLX vs. PDT - Dividend Comparison

USGLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 28.82%, more than PDT's 7.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDT John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund	7.75%	7.80%	7.77%	10.14%	9.04%	6.42%	8.43%	6.70%	8.69%	9.94%	9.15%	7.88%
USGLX John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund	28.82%	28.38%	15.79%	0.00%	0.00%	8.75%	11.38%	6.76%	13.55%	7.34%	5.42%	6.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USGLX and PDT in my portfolio?

USGLX and PDT have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, USGLX or PDT?

PDT has higher volatility (3.08%) compared to USGLX (2.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USGLX dropped -46.82% vs PDT's -62.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PDT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.50 vs 0.06), 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.