JHSC ETF — John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF (JHSC)

Updated October 16, 2026.

JHSC is an ETF. its distribution rate is 0.83%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.06%, its expense ratio is 0.42%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 87/100 (Safe). Total return is 101.7% over the past 8.9 years, 137.6 points behind SPY at 239.3%.

John Hancock Multifactor Small Cap ETF tracks a rules-based index of small-cap U.S. companies, excluding the very smallest firms, and invests at least 80% of its assets in the index securities. The fund carries a modest current distribution rate paid semi-annually and has an expense ratio of 0.42%. It appeals to equity investors seeking exposure to the small-cap segment of the U.S. market with a systematic, factor-based approach.

JHSC performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-16.

Total return is 101.7% over the past 8.9 years, 137.6 points behind SPY at 239.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 12.1%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 9.6%.

JHSC key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

87 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.72%

Issuer

John Hancock

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

11/08/2017

Expense ratio

0.42%

Distribution rate

0.83%

Distribution frequency

Semi-Annual

Trailing yield

1.06%

Last close

$45.98 (as of 2026-10-16)

AUM

$691,229,116

Average volume

15503.0

Dividend

$0.19

Ex-dividend date

06/26/2026

Payment date

06/30/2026

Beta

1.06

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (0.83%) uses calculation basis unavailable. Issuer rates can use a different denominator and date, including ex-date NAV. Trailing-12-month yield (1.06%) is the sum of split-adjusted cash distributions with ex-dates in the last 12 months, divided by the published price. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: John Hancock; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

JHSC risks and drawbacks

JHSC's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are semi-annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 9.6%.

Who may consider JHSC — and who may not

JHSC may suit someone looking for a high Distribution Safety Score. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (JHSC pays semi-annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

More on JHSC

• All tickers starting with J

Tagged: Small Caps.

Frequently asked questions

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