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AAXJ vs. URA
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

AAXJ vs. URA

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) and URA (Global X Uranium ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AAXJ is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, while URA is a Uranium fund tracking the Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ returned 10.34%/yr vs 15.90%/yr for URA. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AAXJ charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for URA.

Performance

AAXJ vs. URA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) and Global X Uranium ETF (URA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AAXJ achieves a 26.46% return, which is significantly higher than URA's 6.53% return. Over the past 10 years, AAXJ has underperformed URA with an annualized return of 10.34%, while URA has yielded a comparatively higher 15.90% annualized return.

AAXJ

1D
0.46%
1M
0.61%
YTD
26.46%
6M
29.76%
1Y
48.69%
3Y*
22.11%
5Y*
6.41%
10Y*
10.34%

URA

1D
1.54%
1M
-13.30%
YTD
6.53%
6M
3.57%
1Y
32.00%
3Y*
32.17%
5Y*
18.77%
10Y*
15.90%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AAXJ vs. URA - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
AAXJ
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF		26.46%31.53%10.41%4.79%-20.35%-5.73%23.35%17.93%-15.04%41.76%
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		6.53%67.18%-0.58%46.25%-11.32%57.57%41.33%-3.54%-22.11%19.36%

Correlation

The correlation between AAXJ and URA is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.55

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.49

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.52

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.52

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2010

0.54

The correlation between AAXJ and URA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

AAXJ vs. URA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
AAXJ
URA

Technology

49.4%
0.9%

Financial Services

15.8%

-

Consumer Cyclical

8.9%

-

Industrials

7.3%
22.7%

Communication Services

5.9%

-

Basic Materials

3.1%
4.8%

Healthcare

2.6%

-

Energy

2.2%
64.2%

Consumer Defensive

2.0%

-

Utilities

1.6%
7.4%

Real Estate

1.4%

-

Technology

AAXJ
49.4%
URA
0.9%

Financial Services

AAXJ
15.8%
URA

-

Consumer Cyclical

AAXJ
8.9%
URA

-

Industrials

AAXJ
7.3%
URA
22.7%

Communication Services

AAXJ
5.9%
URA

-

Basic Materials

AAXJ
3.1%
URA
4.8%

Healthcare

AAXJ
2.6%
URA

-

Energy

AAXJ
2.2%
URA
64.2%

Consumer Defensive

AAXJ
2.0%
URA

-

Utilities

AAXJ
1.6%
URA
7.4%

Real Estate

AAXJ
1.4%
URA

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF

Global X Uranium ETF

Often compared with AAXJ:
AAXJ vs. VPLAAXJ vs. IEMGAAXJ vs. VWOAAXJ vs. BBAXAAXJ vs. EPPAAXJ vs. CQQQAAXJ vs. THD
Often compared with URA:
URA vs. NLRURA vs. URNMURA vs. NUKZURA vs. CCJURA vs. UUUUURA vs. URANURA vs. SPY

Return for Risk

AAXJ vs. URA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
AAXJ
AAXJ Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
AAXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
AAXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
AAXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
AAXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 7676
Calmar Ratio Rank
AAXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
URA
URA Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
URA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2121
Sharpe Ratio Rank
URA Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
URA Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
URA Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
URA Martin Ratio Rank: 2121
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AAXJ vs. URA - 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 Global X Uranium ETF (URA). 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.

AAXJURADifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.11
0.64

+1.47

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
1.21

+1.53

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.14

+0.26

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.41

1.04

+2.38

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.55

2.30

+10.24

AAXJ vs. URA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AAXJ Sharpe Ratio is 2.11, which is higher than the URA Sharpe Ratio of 0.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AAXJ and URA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

AAXJ vs. URA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AAXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.37%, smaller than the maximum URA drawdown of -93.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AAXJ and URA.

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Drawdown Indicators

AAXJURADifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.37%

-93.54%

+44.17%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.66%

-31.48%

+17.82%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.74%

-37.81%

+18.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-40.64%

-37.90%

-2.74%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.52%

-61.45%

+16.93%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.62%

-48.34%

+43.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.01%

-74.94%

+60.93%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.71%

14.12%

-10.41%

Volatility

AAXJ vs. URA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) is 11.46%, while Global X Uranium ETF (URA) has a volatility of 17.69%. This indicates that AAXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than URA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

AAXJURADifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

11.46%

17.69%

-6.23%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.71%

39.95%

-20.24%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

22.12%

51.24%

-29.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.32%

43.96%

-23.64%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.42%

37.91%

-17.49%

AAXJ vs. URA - Expense Ratio Comparison

AAXJ has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is lower than URA's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

AAXJ vs. URA - Dividend Comparison

AAXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.43%, less than URA's 4.58% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
AAXJ
iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF		1.43%1.81%1.86%1.95%1.74%2.21%1.06%1.83%2.10%1.99%1.77%2.44%
URA
Global X Uranium ETF		4.58%4.88%2.86%6.07%0.76%5.84%1.69%1.66%0.44%2.03%7.28%1.96%

Frequently Asked Questions

AAXJ and URA have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

URA has higher volatility (17.69%) compared to AAXJ (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AAXJ dropped -49.37% vs URA's -93.54%.

On 10-year performance, URA leads with 15.90% vs 10.34% for AAXJ. On fees, AAXJ is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, AAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 11.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, URA has performed better with a 15.90% return vs 10.34%. 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 0.69% for URA.

URA has the higher dividend yield at 4.58%, compared with 1.43% for AAXJ.

AAXJ is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while URA is Uranium. AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, while URA tracks Solactive Global Uranium & Nuclear Components Total Return Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for AAXJ and 0.69% for URA.

AAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 0.64), 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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