AIA vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

AIA (iShares Asia 50 ETF) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AIA is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the S&P Asia 50, while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, AIA returned 15.62%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for EWJ. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. AIA charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

AIA vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AIA achieves a 54.52% return, which is significantly higher than EWJ's 15.90% return. Over the past 10 years, AIA has outperformed EWJ with an annualized return of 15.62%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively lower 9.33% annualized return.

AIA

• 1D: 1.91%
• 1M: 20.27%
• YTD: 54.52%
• 6M: 59.65%
• 1Y: 104.35%
• 3Y*: 39.14%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.62%

EWJ

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 6M: 17.72%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AIA vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	54.52%	47.79%	20.26%	4.32%	-24.08%	-10.91%	33.73%	22.21%	-14.22%	45.00%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	15.90%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-14.10%	24.27%

Correlation

The correlation between AIA and EWJ is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 21, 2007	0.63

The correlation between AIA and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

AIA vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	AIA	EWJ
Technology	56.8%	19.1%
Financial Services	19.3%	17.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.2%
Communication Services	8.9%	7.9%
Industrials	2.6%	26.0%
Healthcare	0.9%	6.3%
Energy	0.7%	1.1%
Real Estate	0.6%	2.3%
Basic Materials	-	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.6%
Utilities	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

AIA vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AIA

AIA Risk / Return Rank: 94
AIA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
AIA Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
AIA Omega Ratio Rank: 93
AIA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
AIA Martin Ratio Rank: 94

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 46
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

AIA vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ). 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.

	AIA	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	4.09	1.56	+2.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.70	2.29	+2.41
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.66	1.29	+0.37
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	7.60	2.36	+5.24
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	28.23	7.94	+20.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AIA vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AIA Sharpe Ratio is 4.09, which is higher than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AIA and EWJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AIA	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.09	1.56	+2.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.49	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.54	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.11	+0.21

Drawdowns

AIA vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AIA drawdown since its inception was -60.89%, roughly equal to the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AIA and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AIA	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.89%	-60.93%	+0.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.15%	-13.59%	-0.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.64%	-14.68%	-6.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.17%	-33.14%	-17.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.64%	-33.14%	-21.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-21.74%	+5.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.81%	4.03%	-0.22%

Volatility

AIA vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) has a higher volatility of 11.02% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 4.36%. This indicates that AIA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AIA	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.02%	4.36%	+6.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.66%	15.03%	+6.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.69%	19.56%	+6.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.51%	18.23%	+7.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.55%	17.28%	+6.27%

AIA vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

AIA has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

AIA vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

AIA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.62%, less than EWJ's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AIA iShares Asia 50 ETF	1.62%	2.50%	2.78%	2.07%	2.59%	1.54%	1.11%	2.24%	2.49%	1.45%	2.29%	2.88%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.90%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AIA and EWJ in my portfolio?

AIA and EWJ have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AIA or EWJ?

AIA has higher volatility (11.02%) compared to EWJ (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AIA dropped -60.89% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which ETF is better, AIA or EWJ?

On 10-year performance, AIA leads with 15.62% vs 9.33% for EWJ. On fees, EWJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.36%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AIA or EWJ?

Over the 10-year period, AIA has performed better with a 15.62% return vs 9.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AIA or EWJ?

EWJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for AIA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AIA or EWJ?

EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.90%, compared with 1.62% for AIA.

What is the main difference between AIA and EWJ?

AIA is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while EWJ is Japan Equities. AIA tracks S&P Asia 50, while EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for AIA and 0.49% for EWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AIA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.09 vs 1.56), 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.