HEQ vs RSX
John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund vs VanEck Russia ETF
Which is better, HEQ or RSX?
HEQ has been ahead.
RSX has a lower expense ratio. HEQ led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | HEQ | RSX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.16% | 0.83%Best |
| AUM | $148M | $32M |
| Dividend Yield | 8.10% | 401.36% |
| Holdings | 659 | 31 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.9%Best | 34.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.7%Best | -82.2% |
| $10,000 over 11.6 years | $7,219Best | $2,273 |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | VanEck |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | May 26, 2011 | Apr 24, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 1371 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HEQ has data through Oct 14, 2026 and RSX through Jan 12, 2023.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 11.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2011 to Jan 12, 2023 (11.6 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RSX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.9% compared with 15.9% for HEQ. 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 -59.7% for HEQ and -82.2% for RSX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEQ charges 1.16% per year while RSX charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $116 vs $83 annually, a gap of $33 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEQ currently yields 8.10% against 401.36% for RSX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEQ and RSX 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, HEQ or RSX?
HEQ has an expense ratio of 1.16% while RSX charges 0.83%. RSX is the cheaper option, by $33 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, HEQ or RSX?
RSX has been the more volatile fund at 34.9% annualized versus 15.9% for HEQ. Worst drawdown: HEQ -59.7% vs RSX -82.2%.
Should I hold both HEQ and RSX?
HEQ and RSX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, HEQ or RSX?
HEQ yields 8.10% while RSX yields 401.36%, so RSX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RSX better than HEQ?
RSX has a lower expense ratio. HEQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.