ZTR vs. HEQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ZTR (Virtus Total Return Fund) and HEQ (John Hancock Diversified Income Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, ZTR returned 6.88%/yr vs 7.60%/yr for HEQ. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZTR charges 3.77%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for HEQ.

Performance

ZTR vs. HEQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) and John Hancock Diversified Income Fund (HEQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ZTR having a 11.79% return and HEQ slightly lower at 11.35%. Over the past 10 years, ZTR has underperformed HEQ with an annualized return of 6.88%, while HEQ has yielded a comparatively higher 7.60% annualized return.

ZTR

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: 0.81%
• YTD: 11.79%
• 6M: 12.14%
• 1Y: 21.84%
• 3Y*: 15.13%
• 5Y*: 3.91%
• 10Y*: 6.88%

HEQ

• 1D: 0.88%
• 1M: 0.37%
• YTD: 11.35%
• 6M: 11.25%
• 1Y: 19.96%
• 3Y*: 13.31%
• 5Y*: 7.33%
• 10Y*: 7.60%

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

ZTR vs. HEQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	11.79%	18.63%	18.31%	-3.21%	-21.32%	20.57%	-11.78%	44.65%	-24.86%	29.52%
HEQ John Hancock Diversified Income Fund	11.35%	15.64%	11.70%	-3.14%	-3.08%	24.44%	-14.28%	26.76%	-17.29%	23.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ZTR and HEQ is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 27, 2011	0.43

Return for Risk

ZTR vs. HEQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZTR

ZTR Risk / Return Rank: 50
ZTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ZTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ZTR Omega Ratio Rank: 44
ZTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
ZTR Martin Ratio Rank: 40

HEQ

HEQ Risk / Return Rank: 55
HEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
HEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
HEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 47
HEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
HEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

ZTR vs. HEQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) and John Hancock Diversified Income Fund (HEQ). 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.

	ZTR	HEQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.89	1.86	+0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.85	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.35	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	2.90	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.17	11.66	-3.50

ZTR vs. HEQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZTR Sharpe Ratio is 1.89, which is comparable to the HEQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZTR and HEQ, 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

ZTR vs. HEQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZTR drawdown since its inception was -57.25%, which is greater than HEQ's maximum drawdown of -44.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZTR and HEQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZTR	HEQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-57.25%	-44.38%	-12.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.07%	-6.92%	-0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.15%	-14.12%	-11.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.64%	-25.37%	-17.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-57.25%	-44.38%	-12.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	-1.82%	-0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.34%	-8.55%	-0.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.68%	1.72%	+0.96%

Volatility

ZTR vs. HEQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Total Return Fund (ZTR) is 3.31%, while John Hancock Diversified Income Fund (HEQ) has a volatility of 3.55%. This indicates that ZTR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZTR	HEQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.31%	3.55%	-0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.05%	9.01%	+0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.61%	10.77%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.70%	16.51%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.61%	18.83%	+2.78%

ZTR vs. HEQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZTR has a 3.77% expense ratio, which is higher than HEQ's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZTR vs. HEQ - Dividend Comparison

ZTR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.99%, more than HEQ's 8.73% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEQ John Hancock Diversified Income Fund	8.73%	9.30%	9.79%	10.75%	10.09%	8.92%	11.64%	10.09%	11.50%	10.44%	9.57%	10.40%
ZTR Virtus Total Return Fund	8.99%	9.52%	10.24%	15.25%	15.88%	10.96%	13.72%	11.89%	15.18%	13.85%	10.58%	9.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZTR and HEQ in my portfolio?

ZTR and HEQ have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZTR or HEQ?

HEQ has higher volatility (3.55%) compared to ZTR (3.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZTR dropped -57.25% vs HEQ's -44.38%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZTR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.89 vs 1.86), 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.