AGG vs JHCB
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF vs John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF
Which is better, AGG or JHCB?
Nearly the same fund. AGG costs less.
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, JHCB over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AGG | JHCB |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.29% |
| AUM | $137.6B | $99M |
| Dividend Yield | 4.19% | 5.42% |
| Holdings | 13,338 | 181 |
| YTD Return | -2.12%Best | -3.09% |
| 1Y Return | -2.06%Best | -3.15% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.55% | +5.71%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.53% | -0.34%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.3%Best | 7.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -17.8%Best | -22.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,738 | $9,831Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | John Hancock Investment Management |
| Category | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2003 | Mar 30, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight, Style.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 31, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.5 years).
AGG vs JHCB growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 5.5 years both funds cover.
AGG vs JHCB Performance
iShares Core US Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (JHCB) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management. Over the past year AGG returned -2.06% while JHCB returned -3.15%. Year to date, AGG is down 2.12% versus a loss of 3.09% for JHCB.
Over three years, AGG compounded at +4.55% per year against +5.71% for JHCB; over five years the annualized figures are -0.53% and -0.34% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, JHCB has the edge at +0.33% annualized vs -0.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JHCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.9% compared with 6.3% for AGG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -17.8% for AGG and -22.6% for JHCB. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGG charges 0.03% per year while JHCB charges 0.29%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $29 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGG currently yields 4.19% against 5.42% for JHCB.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 11,115 holdings in AGG and 161 in JHCB, totalling 67.1% and 89.1% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 128 positions appear in both.
128 positions in common, counted across the 11,115 positions we hold weights for in AGG and 161 in JHCB, against full books of 13,338 and 181.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AGG | Weight in JHCB | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAC V2.592 04/29/31Bank Of America 2.592 04/29/2031 | 0.01% | 2.21% | 2.20% |
| MSFT 2.525 06/01/50Microsoft Corporation 2.52 Jun 01, 2050 | 0.01% | 1.72% | 1.71% |
| AMZN 4.95 12/05/44Amazon.com Inc. 4.95% 05 Dec 2044 | 0.00% | 1.69% | 1.69% |
| CEG 5.75 03/15/54Constellation Energy Generation Llc Corporate Bonds | 0.00% | 1.55% | 1.55% |
| SO V6.375 03/15/55 2Southern Co 6.38 2055-03-15 | 0.00% | 1.47% | 1.47% |
| LLY 5 02/09/54Eli Lilly + Co Sr Unsecured 02/54 5 | 0.00% | 1.44% | 1.44% |
| TFC V4.916 07/28/33 | 0.00% | 1.37% | 1.37% |
| WFC V5.605 04/23/36Wells Fargo + Company Sr Unsecured 04/36 Var | 0.01% | 1.27% | 1.26% |
| META 4.45 08/15/52Meta Platforms Inc Sr Unsecured 08/52 4.45 | 0.01% | 1.23% | 1.22% |
| CMA V5.332 08/25/33Comerica Bank V/R 08/25/33 | 0.00% | 1.24% | 1.24% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AGG and JHCB you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AGG or JHCB?
AGG has an expense ratio of 0.03% while JHCB charges 0.29%. AGG is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGG or JHCB?
Over the past year AGG returned -2.06% vs -3.15% for JHCB, so AGG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), AGG annualized -0.13% vs +0.33% for JHCB. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGG or JHCB?
JHCB has been the more volatile fund at 7.9% annualized versus 6.3% for AGG. Worst drawdown: AGG -17.8% vs JHCB -22.6%.
Should I hold both AGG and JHCB?
AGG and JHCB have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGG or JHCB?
AGG yields 4.19% while JHCB yields 5.42%, so JHCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is JHCB better than AGG?
AGG has a lower expense ratio. AGG led over 1Y, JHCB over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.