JHPI vs VYM
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, JHPI or VYM?
Preferred Stock against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | JHPI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $217M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.92% | 2.24% |
| Holdings | 207 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +1.32% | +14.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.65% | +20.84%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.53% | +18.64%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.28% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.2%Best | 13.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.4%Best | -15.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $11,776 | $16,963Best |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Preferred Stock | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 14, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 15, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (4.7 years).
JHPI vs VYM 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 4.7 years both funds cover.
JHPI vs VYM Performance
John Hancock Preferred Income ETF (JHPI) is an ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year JHPI returned +3.65% while VYM returned +20.84%. Year to date, JHPI is up 1.32% versus a gain of 14.82% for VYM.
Over three years, JHPI compounded at +8.53% per year against +18.64% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.6% compared with 8.2% for JHPI. 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 -13.4% for JHPI and -15.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JHPI charges 0.54% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $4 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JHPI currently yields 5.92% against 2.24% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 14.3% of VYM's money is in holdings JHPI also owns.
Stated as a floor: for JHPI, our book for it covers 81.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and JHPI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 91 days apart, JHPI as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
48 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in JHPI and 603 in VYM, against full books of 207 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JHPI | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co | 0.74% | 3.38% | 2.64% |
| BACBank Of America Corp. | 0.51% | 1.56% | 1.05% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 0.75% | 0.94% | 0.19% |
| ORCLOracle Corp - Common | 0.50% | 1.04% | 0.54% |
| MSMorgan Stanley | 0.47% | 0.97% | 0.50% |
| PSXPhillips 66 | 0.99% | 0.28% | 0.71% |
| CVSCvs Health Corp. | 0.60% | 0.55% | 0.05% |
| SOSouthern Co. | 0.59% | 0.45% | 0.14% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 0.71% | 0.31% | 0.40% |
| NRGNrg Energy | 0.89% | 0.12% | 0.77% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JHPI and VYM 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, JHPI or VYM?
JHPI has an expense ratio of 0.54% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, JHPI or VYM?
Over the past year JHPI returned +3.65% vs +20.84% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, JHPI or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.6% annualized versus 8.2% for JHPI. Worst drawdown: JHPI -13.4% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both JHPI and VYM?
JHPI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between JHPI and VYM?
At least 14.3% of VYM's money is in holdings JHPI also owns. Our book for JHPI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 48 positions in common, counted across the 167 positions we hold weights for in JHPI and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, JHPI or VYM?
JHPI yields 5.92% while VYM yields 2.24%, so JHPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than JHPI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.