COPX vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

COPX (Global X Copper Miners ETF) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COPX is a Materials fund tracking the Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index, while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, COPX returned 20.76%/yr vs 9.21%/yr for EWJ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. COPX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

COPX vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with COPX having a 13.23% return and EWJ slightly higher at 13.88%. Over the past 10 years, COPX has outperformed EWJ with an annualized return of 20.76%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively lower 9.21% annualized return.

COPX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -5.44%
• YTD: 13.23%
• 6M: 23.36%
• 1Y: 93.73%
• 3Y*: 32.33%
• 5Y*: 18.13%
• 10Y*: 20.76%

EWJ

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 13.88%
• 6M: 14.67%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

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

COPX vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COPX Global X Copper Miners ETF	13.23%	93.50%	3.57%	8.38%	-0.76%	23.39%	51.66%	12.48%	-31.31%	38.92%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	13.88%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-14.10%	24.27%

Correlation

The correlation between COPX and EWJ is 0.57, 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	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 20, 2010	0.53

The correlation between COPX and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.52 to 0.57 - a consistent structural relationship.

COPX vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COPX	EWJ
Basic Materials	96.3%	3.0%
Industrials	3.7%	26.0%
Communication Services	-	7.9%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	3.6%
Energy	-	1.1%
Financial Services	-	17.5%
Healthcare	-	6.3%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Technology	-	19.1%
Utilities	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

COPX vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

COPX

COPX Risk / Return Rank: 67
COPX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
COPX Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
COPX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
COPX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
COPX Martin Ratio Rank: 65

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 50
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

COPX vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) 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.

	COPX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	1.53	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.21	+0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.29	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.39	2.24	+1.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.72	7.56	+3.16
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COPX vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COPX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is higher than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COPX 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

	COPX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	1.53	+0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.47	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.53	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.11	+0.06

Drawdowns

COPX vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COPX drawdown since its inception was -83.16%, which is greater than EWJ's maximum drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COPX and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	COPX	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.16%	-60.93%	-22.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.82%	-13.59%	-14.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.72%	-14.68%	-25.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.12%	-33.14%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-65.41%	-33.14%	-32.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.06%	-2.32%	-12.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-39.28%	-21.73%	-17.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.78%	4.02%	+4.76%

Volatility

COPX vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX) has a higher volatility of 18.19% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 5.21%. This indicates that COPX'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

	COPX	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.19%	5.21%	+12.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	37.27%	15.51%	+21.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	42.89%	19.89%	+23.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.80%	18.31%	+18.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.68%	17.31%	+18.37%

COPX vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

COPX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

COPX vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

COPX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.36%, less than EWJ's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COPX Global X Copper Miners ETF	2.36%	2.68%	1.80%	2.39%	3.14%	1.48%	1.30%	1.37%	2.59%	1.57%	0.60%	1.20%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.97%	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 COPX and EWJ in my portfolio?

COPX and EWJ have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COPX or EWJ?

COPX has higher volatility (18.19%) compared to EWJ (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COPX dropped -83.16% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which ETF is better, COPX or EWJ?

On 10-year performance, COPX leads with 20.76% vs 9.21% for EWJ. On fees, EWJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWJ has been the lower-risk option at 5.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, COPX or EWJ?

Over the 10-year period, COPX has performed better with a 20.76% return vs 9.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, COPX or EWJ?

EWJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for COPX.

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

EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 2.36% for COPX.

What is the main difference between COPX and EWJ?

COPX is categorized as Materials, while EWJ is Japan Equities. COPX tracks Solactive Global Copper Miners Total Return Index, while EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for COPX and 0.49% for EWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

COPX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 1.53), 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.