# John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG): ETF Facts & Distributions > Markdown mirror of https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg for AI agents. Same live data as the HTML page, regenerated on the same refresh cycle. Not investment advice. - Issuer: John Hancock Investments · Asset class: Alternative funds - Strategy: Options Income · Inception: 2026-04-08 The John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) aims to deliver optimized risk-adjusted performance through a dual approach: rigorous fundamental stock analysis coupled with a dynamic options strategy. Its core holdings comprise large-capitalization U.S. equities, chosen via a bottom-up methodology that identifies undervalued enterprises possessing robust business models and discernible triggers for future appreciation. The strategy incorporates derivatives to sculpt its risk-return characteristics, enabling participation in market upside while simultaneously dampening price fluctuations and curb... ## Key Facts | Metric | Value | |---|---| | Price | $28.09 | | Expense Ratio | 0.49% | | Assets Under Management | $131.5M | | NAV | $28.23 | | Holdings Count | 116 | | Distribution Yield (TTM) | 0.18% | | Annual Distribution (TTM) | $0.05 /share | | Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | | 52-Week Range | $25.62 – $28.81 | | Beta | 0.69 | ## Latest Distribution - Amount: $0.0220 /share - Ex-date: 2026-09-28 - Pay date: 2026-09-30 ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does JHDG invest in? The John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) aims to deliver optimized risk-adjusted performance through a dual approach: rigorous fundamental stock analysis coupled with a dynamic options strategy. Its core holdings comprise large-capitalization U.S. equities, chosen via a bottom-up methodology that identifies undervalued enterprises possessing robust business models and discernible triggers for future appreciation. The strategy incorporates derivatives to sculpt its risk-return characteristics, enabling participation in market upside while simultaneously dampening price fluctuations and curbing potential losses. Income generation stems from selling short-duration, out-of-the-money covered call options on its equity positions, with these proceeds then funding index put spreads designed to offer partial safeguards against market downturns. Management continuously adapts these derivative postures in response to evolving market dynamics, which may involve recalibrating hedging intensity, scaling back call option obligations, or acquiring index call options to capitalize on anticipated market recoveries. A key consideration, however, is that this hedging mechanism could constrain potential gains during periods of significant market exuberance. ### What is the expense ratio of JHDG? John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) charges an expense ratio of 0.49%. This is the annual fee deducted from fund assets to cover management and operations. ### What is JHDG's distribution yield? JHDG's trailing-twelve-month yield is 0.18%, calculated from the sum of distributions over the past year divided by the current price. ### How does JHDG's covered-call strategy work? JHDG sells call options against the stocks (or index) it holds, collecting premium income that gets passed through to shareholders as distributions. The strategy generates above-market income in flat or rising markets but caps upside. When the underlying rallies past the strike, the gains above the strike go to the option buyer, not the fund. ### How big is JHDG? John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) manages $131.5M in total assets. AUM determines bid-ask liquidity and the fund's vulnerability to closure. Funds below ~$50M are at higher risk of liquidation. ### Is JHDG actively managed or an index fund? JHDG's management style is described in the fund's prospectus. See the description on the Summary tab for the published strategy. ### Does JHDG pay a distribution? Yes, John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) distributes distributions to shareholders. The trailing-twelve-month yield is 0.18%. Full distribution history is on this page. ### How often does JHDG pay distributions? John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF pays distributions Quarterly. Each ex-dividend date, record date, and payment date is listed in the distribution history table on this page. ### When is JHDG's next ex-distribution date? The most recently announced ex-distribution date for JHDG was 2026-09-28. The next ex-date typically follows Quarterly; once announced it appears at the top of the distribution history table on this page. ### Is JHDG's distribution sustainable? Covered-call ETFs like JHDG fund their distributions from option premium income. Sustainability depends on (1) whether option premiums stay high enough to cover the announced rate, and (2) whether NAV holds up over time. The NAV Erosion section on this page contrasts total return with price change since inception. If distributions consistently exceed total return, the fund is paying out capital rather than income. ### How much will JHDG's expense ratio cost me over 30 years? On a $10,000 investment compounding at 7% gross return, a 0.49% expense ratio quietly compounds against your balance every year. The Fee Compounding Forecast card above projects the dollar drag for any holding period and assumption you pick. The typical result for a 1.0% expense ratio on a 30-year hold is roughly 25% of the final balance lost to fees. ### How does JHDG charge its expense ratio? The expense ratio is deducted in tiny daily slices from JHDG's net asset value (NAV). You never see a bill. The price quoted on every exchange is already net of fees. There's no "fee day" to avoid; the cost is continuous and built into the trading price. ### Why does JHDG cost more than a fund like VOO? JHDG is an options-income fund (current expense ratio 0.49%). Covered-call and 0DTE strategies require active option-writing, daily rebalancing, and dedicated risk management. They cost more than passive equity funds. The Cost Verdict card compares JHDG against the options-income cohort, not VOO. ### Are JHDG's distributions taxed at ordinary income or qualified-dividend rates? JHDG's option-premium distributions are typically classified as ordinary income (NOT the qualified-dividend rate), so they're taxed at your marginal federal rate plus state. For a 24% bracket investor that's roughly 2x the 15% long-term capital gains rate most dividend investors are used to. The Fee Compounding Forecast card above lets you layer in this tax drag alongside the fund fee. Consult a tax advisor. This is not tax advice. ### Are there cheaper alternatives to JHDG? The Lower-Fee Alternatives card above lists ETFs following the same investment strategy as JHDG (0.49%) but at a lower expense ratio. Each row shows the fee gap, the peer's AUM as a liquidity sanity-check, and a direct link to that fund's analysis page. Cheaper price doesn't automatically mean better. Verify the peer holds what you actually want. ## More on Dividend Data - Overview (HTML): https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg - Distribution history: https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg/dividend - Holdings & diversification: https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg/diversification - Fees & cheaper alternatives: https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg/expenses - Peer comparison: https://www.dividenddata.com/funds/jhdg/peers Data sourced from primary filings and market data providers; see https://www.dividenddata.com/methodology.