JHSC vs QQQ
John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, JHSC or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. JHSC is less concentrated, with 4.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%.
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 | JHSC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.42% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $693M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.08% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 501 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +7.72% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.83% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.84% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.09% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 20.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,439 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 4.7%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 9, 2017 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.9 years).
JHSC vs QQQ 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 8.9 years both funds cover.
JHSC vs QQQ Performance
John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year JHSC returned +9.83% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, JHSC is up 7.72% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, JHSC compounded at +13.84% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.09% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.49% annualized vs +7.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JHSC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 20.0% for QQQ. 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 -42.7% for JHSC and -35.1% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JHSC charges 0.42% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $42 vs $18 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JHSC currently yields 1.08% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 491 holdings in JHSC and 101 in QQQ, totalling 99.2% and 99.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 491 positions we hold weights for in JHSC and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 501 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for JHSC (96.3% of the fund), and 476 for JHSC that do not appear in QQQ (96.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JHSC and QQQ 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, JHSC or QQQ?
JHSC has an expense ratio of 0.42% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JHSC or QQQ?
Over the past year JHSC returned +9.83% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), JHSC annualized +7.65% vs +19.49% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JHSC or QQQ?
JHSC has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 20.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: JHSC -42.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both JHSC and QQQ?
JHSC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, JHSC or QQQ?
JHSC yields 1.08% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so JHSC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than JHSC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. JHSC is less concentrated, with 4.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.