BBJP vs. HEWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BBJP (JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF) and HEWJ (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF) are both Japan Equities funds - BBJP tracks the Morningstar Japan Target Market Exposure Index while HEWJ tracks the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, BBJP returned 9.11%/yr vs 21.37%/yr for HEWJ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BBJP charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HEWJ.

Performance

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BBJP achieves a 14.97% return, which is significantly lower than HEWJ's 19.76% return.

BBJP

• 1D: 0.57%
• 1M: 5.50%
• YTD: 14.97%
• 6M: 16.98%
• 1Y: 29.99%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 9.11%
• 10Y*: —

HEWJ

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 7.95%
• YTD: 19.76%
• 6M: 23.07%
• 1Y: 51.12%
• 3Y*: 28.87%
• 5Y*: 21.37%
• 10Y*: 16.41%

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

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BBJP JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF	14.97%	26.55%	7.47%	20.65%	-17.24%	1.21%	15.42%	18.85%	-13.92%
HEWJ iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF	19.76%	30.25%	24.80%	36.21%	-4.39%	12.79%	10.29%	20.79%	-13.80%

Correlation

The correlation between BBJP and HEWJ is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.86

The correlation between BBJP and HEWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBJP	HEWJ
Industrials	26.7%	26.0%
Technology	17.8%	19.1%
Financial Services	17.1%	17.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.6%	12.2%
Communication Services	7.7%	7.9%
Healthcare	6.1%	6.2%
Consumer Defensive	3.7%	3.6%
Basic Materials	3.2%	3.0%
Real Estate	2.7%	2.3%
Utilities	1.3%	1.1%
Energy	1.0%	1.1%

Return for Risk

BBJP vs. HEWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBJP

BBJP Risk / Return Rank: 46
BBJP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BBJP Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
BBJP Omega Ratio Rank: 46
BBJP Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BBJP Martin Ratio Rank: 47

HEWJ

HEWJ Risk / Return Rank: 85
HEWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HEWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
HEWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 82
HEWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
HEWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). 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.

	BBJP	HEWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.55	2.75	-1.20
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.27	3.81	-1.54
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.50	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.32	5.00	-2.68
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.76	19.65	-11.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBJP Sharpe Ratio is 1.55, which is lower than the HEWJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBJP and HEWJ, 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

	BBJP	HEWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.55	2.75	-1.20
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	1.13	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.84	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.69	-0.24

Drawdowns

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBJP drawdown since its inception was -32.66%, roughly equal to the maximum HEWJ drawdown of -31.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBJP and HEWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBJP	HEWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.66%	-31.53%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.60%	-10.37%	-3.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.49%	-20.90%	+6.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.66%	-20.90%	-11.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-31.53%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.19%	0.00%	-1.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.53%	-6.62%	-1.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	2.64%	+1.43%

Volatility

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Volatility Comparison

JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) has a higher volatility of 4.29% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) at 3.94%. This indicates that BBJP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBJP	HEWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.29%	3.94%	+0.35%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.99%	13.70%	+1.29%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.47%	18.65%	+0.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.15%	19.04%	-0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.29%	19.66%	-1.37%

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBJP has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is lower than HEWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBJP vs. HEWJ - Dividend Comparison

BBJP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than HEWJ's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBJP JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF	4.67%	5.37%	2.80%	3.05%	1.52%	2.89%	1.12%	2.31%	0.65%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HEWJ iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF	4.26%	5.10%	2.20%	2.02%	47.68%	2.03%	1.20%	2.78%	1.37%	1.21%	1.88%	3.25%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BBJP and HEWJ in my portfolio?

BBJP and HEWJ have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBJP or HEWJ?

BBJP has higher volatility (4.29%) compared to HEWJ (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBJP dropped -32.66% vs HEWJ's -31.53%.

Which ETF is better, BBJP or HEWJ?

On 5-year performance, HEWJ leads with 21.37% vs 9.11% for BBJP. On fees, BBJP is cheaper at 0.19% per year. On volatility, HEWJ has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBJP or HEWJ?

Over the 5-year period, HEWJ has performed better with a 21.37% return vs 9.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBJP or HEWJ?

BBJP is cheaper with a 0.19% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HEWJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBJP or HEWJ?

BBJP has the higher dividend yield at 4.67%, compared with 4.26% for HEWJ.

What is the main difference between BBJP and HEWJ?

BBJP tracks Morningstar Japan Target Market Exposure Index, while HEWJ tracks MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.19% for BBJP and 0.49% for HEWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.75 vs 1.55), 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.