USGLX vs. VTI

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

USGLX (John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - USGLX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by John Hancock, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, USGLX returned 11.40%/yr vs 14.67%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USGLX charges 1.13%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

USGLX vs. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USGLX achieves a -1.96% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 10.96% return. Over the past 10 years, USGLX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 11.40%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.67% annualized return.

USGLX

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: 3.72%
• 6M: -2.90%
• YTD: -1.96%
• 1Y: -2.83%
• 3Y*: 9.30%
• 5Y*: 2.27%
• 10Y*: 11.40%

VTI

• 1D: -0.78%
• 1M: 1.22%
• 6M: 8.45%
• YTD: 10.96%
• 1Y: 21.85%
• 3Y*: 19.76%
• 5Y*: 12.01%
• 10Y*: 14.67%

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

USGLX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USGLX John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund	-1.96%	2.94%	18.17%	29.14%	-29.76%	19.18%	35.40%	33.07%	3.35%	25.38%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	10.96%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between USGLX and VTI is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	0.91

The correlation between USGLX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

USGLX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

USGLX

USGLX Risk / Return Rank: 2
USGLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
USGLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
USGLX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
USGLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
USGLX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 66
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. VTI - 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 Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	USGLX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.26	1.71	-1.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.26	2.36	-2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.31	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.22	2.46	-2.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.60	10.78	-11.37

USGLX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USGLX Sharpe Ratio is -0.26, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USGLX and VTI, 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

USGLX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USGLX drawdown since its inception was -46.82%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USGLX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	USGLX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.82%	-55.45%	+8.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.09%	-8.92%	-7.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.58%	-19.30%	-6.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.80%	-25.36%	-11.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.80%	-35.00%	-1.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.72%	-0.94%	-11.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.42%	-8.00%	+0.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.93%	2.03%	+3.90%

Volatility

USGLX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund (USGLX) has a higher volatility of 4.49% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.08%. This indicates that USGLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USGLX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.49%	4.08%	+0.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.83%	10.13%	+0.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.76%	12.85%	+0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.06%	17.51%	+3.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.21%	18.29%	+1.92%

USGLX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

USGLX has a 1.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

USGLX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

USGLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 28.95%, more than VTI's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
USGLX John Hancock U.S. Global Leaders Growth Fund	28.95%	28.38%	15.79%	0.00%	0.00%	8.75%	11.38%	6.76%	13.55%	7.34%	5.42%	6.57%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.05%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USGLX and VTI in my portfolio?

USGLX and VTI have a correlation of 0.81, 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 VTI?

USGLX has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to VTI (4.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USGLX dropped -46.82% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.26), 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.