AAXJ vs. ADIV
AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) and ADIV (SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. AAXJ is passively managed, while ADIV is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, AAXJ returned 7.14%/yr vs 7.59%/yr for ADIV. Their correlation of 0.85 means they have usually moved in the same direction. AAXJ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.78%/yr for ADIV.
Performance
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AAXJ achieves a 23.07% return, which is significantly higher than ADIV's 10.62% return.
AAXJ
- 1D
- 2.58%
- 1M
- 0.22%
- 6M
- 13.71%
- YTD
- 23.07%
- 1Y
- 38.45%
- 3Y*
- 21.08%
- 5Y*
- 7.14%
- 10Y*
- 8.92%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.55%
ADIV
- 1D
- 1.15%
- 1M
- 7.08%
- 6M
- 8.26%
- YTD
- 10.62%
- 1Y
- 13.95%
- 3Y*
- 16.88%
- 5Y*
- 7.59%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 7.06%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46.72M | $64.51M | $77.70M | |
| $151.07K | $96.06K | $104.95K |
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 23.07% | 31.53% | 10.41% | 4.79% | -20.35% | -8.73% |
ADIV SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF | 10.62% | 21.86% | 14.47% | 12.28% | -18.00% | 1.41% |
Correlation
The correlation between AAXJ and ADIV is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.75 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.83 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.86 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2021 | 0.85 |
The correlation between AAXJ and ADIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.75 (1 year) to 0.86 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
AAXJ
ADIV
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Industrials
Communication Services
Basic Materials
-
Healthcare
Energy
-
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Real Estate
Technology
AAXJ
ADIV
Financial Services
AAXJ
ADIV
Consumer Cyclical
AAXJ
ADIV
Industrials
AAXJ
ADIV
Communication Services
AAXJ
ADIV
Basic Materials
AAXJ
ADIV
-
Healthcare
AAXJ
ADIV
Energy
AAXJ
ADIV
-
Consumer Defensive
AAXJ
ADIV
Utilities
AAXJ
ADIV
Real Estate
AAXJ
ADIV
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Return for Risk
AAXJ vs. ADIV — Risk / Return Rank
AAXJ
ADIV
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF (ADIV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AAXJ | ADIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.29 | 1.18 | +0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.59 | 1.38 | +1.21 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.99 | 4.27 | +3.72 |
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Drawdowns
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum AAXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.37%, which is greater than ADIV's maximum drawdown of -31.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAXJ and ADIV.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AAXJ | ADIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -49.37% | -31.55% | -17.82% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.94% | -10.15% | -4.79% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.74% | -18.53% | -1.21% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.74% | -31.55% | -6.19% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.52% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.07% | 0.00% | -8.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.96% | -8.26% | -5.70% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.83% | 3.27% | +1.56% |
Volatility
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) has a higher volatility of 9.20% compared to SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF (ADIV) at 3.41%. This indicates that AAXJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ADIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AAXJ | ADIV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.20% | 3.41% | +5.79% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 23.06% | 11.62% | +11.44% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.30% | 14.21% | +11.09% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.95% | 16.62% | +4.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.71% | 16.34% | +4.37% |
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Expense Ratio Comparison
AAXJ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than ADIV's 0.78% expense ratio.
Dividends
AAXJ vs. ADIV - Dividend Comparison
AAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.35%, less than ADIV's 2.84% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 1.35% | 1.81% | 1.86% | 1.95% | 1.74% | 2.21% | 1.06% | 1.83% | 2.10% | 1.99% | 1.77% | 2.44% |
ADIV SmartETFs Asia Pacific Dividend Builder ETF | 2.84% | 2.77% | 4.83% | 4.55% | 2.98% | 13.85% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
AAXJ and ADIV have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AAXJ has higher volatility (9.20%) compared to ADIV (3.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAXJ dropped -49.37% vs ADIV's -31.55%.
On 5-year performance, ADIV leads with 7.59% vs 7.14% for AAXJ. On fees, AAXJ is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, ADIV has been the lower-risk option at 3.41%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, ADIV has performed better with a 7.59% return vs 7.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
AAXJ is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for ADIV.
ADIV has the higher dividend yield at 2.84%, compared with 1.35% for AAXJ.
They also come from different issuers: iShares and Guinness Atkinson. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AAXJ and 0.78% for ADIV.
AAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.99), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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