VTCAX vs. JESTX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VTCAX (Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares) and JESTX (John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust) are both Technology Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, VTCAX returned 7.63%/yr vs 20.78%/yr for JESTX. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VTCAX charges 0.10%/yr vs 1.04%/yr for JESTX.

Performance

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTCAX achieves a -1.43% return, which is significantly lower than JESTX's 41.09% return.

VTCAX

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -2.50%
• YTD: -1.43%
• 6M: -0.49%
• 1Y: 19.27%
• 3Y*: 24.04%
• 5Y*: 7.63%
• 10Y*: 9.31%

JESTX

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 17.99%
• YTD: 41.09%
• 6M: 37.65%
• 1Y: 82.01%
• 3Y*: 39.71%
• 5Y*: 20.78%
• 10Y*: —

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

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	-1.43%	26.28%	33.10%	44.73%	-38.78%	14.09%	28.95%	28.03%	-16.51%	-4.46%
JESTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust	41.09%	24.07%	37.90%	54.68%	-33.29%	8.37%	57.16%	37.93%	-0.61%	24.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VTCAX and JESTX is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2017	0.73

Over the past year, the correlation between VTCAX and JESTX has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.73, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VTCAX vs. JESTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTCAX

VTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 21
VTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 23

JESTX

JESTX Risk / Return Rank: 91
JESTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
JESTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
JESTX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
JESTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
JESTX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) and John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX). 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.

	VTCAX	JESTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	3.83	-2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.01	4.27	-2.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.58	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	5.28	-3.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.76	19.00	-13.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the JESTX Sharpe Ratio of 3.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTCAX and JESTX, 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

	VTCAX	JESTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.34	3.83	-2.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.75	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.44	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.91	-0.48

Drawdowns

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTCAX drawdown since its inception was -57.11%, which is greater than JESTX's maximum drawdown of -46.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTCAX and JESTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTCAX	JESTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.11%	-46.95%	-10.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.56%	-18.63%	+5.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.19%	-31.33%	+10.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.58%	-46.95%	+0.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.58%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.78%	-0.06%	-4.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.89%	-9.17%	-2.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.56%	4.88%	-1.32%

Volatility

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX) is 4.23%, while John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust (JESTX) has a volatility of 9.68%. This indicates that VTCAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JESTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VTCAX	JESTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	9.68%	-5.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	20.22%	-9.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	25.72%	-10.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.24%	28.71%	-7.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.00%	26.57%	-5.57%

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTCAX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than JESTX's 1.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTCAX vs. JESTX - Dividend Comparison

VTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than JESTX's 15.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JESTX John Hancock Variable Insurance Trust Science & Technology Trust	15.56%	21.96%	0.00%	0.00%	100.46%	24.96%	9.28%	19.35%	18.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTCAX Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.00%	0.95%	1.06%	1.04%	0.88%	1.20%	0.73%	0.89%	2.77%	3.84%	2.68%	3.55%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTCAX and JESTX in my portfolio?

VTCAX and JESTX have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VTCAX or JESTX?

JESTX has higher volatility (9.68%) compared to VTCAX (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTCAX dropped -57.11% vs JESTX's -46.95%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JESTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.83 vs 1.34), 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.