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DXJ vs. XEF.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DXJ vs. XEF.TO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

DXJ (WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund) and XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DXJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index, while XEF.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DXJ returned 18.72%/yr vs 9.68%/yr for XEF.TO. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DXJ charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for XEF.TO.

Performance

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Different Trading Currencies

DXJ is traded in USD, while XEF.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the XEF.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DXJ achieves a 18.74% return, which is significantly higher than XEF.TO's 9.17% return. Over the past 10 years, DXJ has outperformed XEF.TO with an annualized return of 18.72%, while XEF.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.68% annualized return.

DXJ

1D
0.74%
1M
-0.20%
YTD
18.74%
6M
19.84%
1Y
53.35%
3Y*
30.91%
5Y*
26.01%
10Y*
18.72%

XEF.TO

1D
0.28%
1M
0.80%
YTD
9.17%
6M
10.97%
1Y
21.14%
3Y*
16.28%
5Y*
7.76%
10Y*
9.68%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DXJ
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund		18.74%32.78%29.83%42.04%5.96%17.99%3.94%18.94%-19.78%22.81%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		9.17%31.70%3.30%18.02%-14.92%10.41%8.71%20.83%-13.90%26.79%

Correlation

The correlation between DXJ and XEF.TO is 0.61, 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

0.61

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

0.54

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

0.53

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

0.57

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2013

0.57

The correlation between DXJ and XEF.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DXJ
XEF.TO

Industrials

27.4%
20.5%

Financial Services

18.3%
22.9%

Consumer Cyclical

15.6%
8.2%

Technology

12.9%
10.2%

Basic Materials

8.5%
6.6%

Healthcare

6.8%
9.8%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
6.4%

Communication Services

2.7%
4.4%

Energy

1.7%
4.0%

Utilities

0.1%
3.8%

Real Estate

-

3.1%

Industrials

DXJ
27.4%
XEF.TO
20.5%

Financial Services

DXJ
18.3%
XEF.TO
22.9%

Consumer Cyclical

DXJ
15.6%
XEF.TO
8.2%

Technology

DXJ
12.9%
XEF.TO
10.2%

Basic Materials

DXJ
8.5%
XEF.TO
6.6%

Healthcare

DXJ
6.8%
XEF.TO
9.8%

Consumer Defensive

DXJ
4.7%
XEF.TO
6.4%

Communication Services

DXJ
2.7%
XEF.TO
4.4%

Energy

DXJ
1.7%
XEF.TO
4.0%

Utilities

DXJ
0.1%
XEF.TO
3.8%

Real Estate

DXJ

-

XEF.TO
3.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund

iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF

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Often compared with XEF.TO:
XEF.TO vs. XEC.TOXEF.TO vs. VIU.TOXEF.TO vs. ZEA.TOXEF.TO vs. XFH.TOXEF.TO vs. IEFAXEF.TO vs. XIC.TOXEF.TO vs. XEF-U.TO

Return for Risk

DXJ vs. XEF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DXJ
DXJ Risk / Return Rank: 9292
Overall Rank
DXJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9393
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DXJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 9393
Sortino Ratio Rank
DXJ Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
DXJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9090
Calmar Ratio Rank
DXJ Martin Ratio Rank: 9191
Martin Ratio Rank
XEF.TO
XEF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
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.

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO). 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.

DXJXEF.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
3.02
1.40

+1.62

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
4.04
2.06

+1.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.54

1.26

+0.28

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.88

1.83

+3.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

18.93

7.10

+11.83

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DXJ Sharpe Ratio is 3.02, which is higher than the XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DXJ and XEF.TO, 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

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DXJ drawdown since its inception was -49.63%, which is greater than XEF.TO's maximum drawdown of -34.33%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DXJ and XEF.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

DXJXEF.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.63%

-34.33%

-15.30%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.98%

-11.58%

+0.60%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.19%

-13.93%

-8.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-22.19%

-31.05%

+8.86%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.14%

-34.33%

-4.81%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.34%

-1.02%

-0.32%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.32%

-7.13%

-7.19%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.83%

2.99%

-0.16%

Volatility

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund (DXJ) is 4.64%, while iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) has a volatility of 5.32%. This indicates that DXJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XEF.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

DXJXEF.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.64%

5.32%

-0.68%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.56%

12.60%

+0.96%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.73%

15.18%

+2.55%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.02%

15.04%

+3.98%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.17%

16.23%

+3.94%

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

DXJ has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than XEF.TO's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

DXJ vs. XEF.TO - Dividend Comparison

DXJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, less than XEF.TO's 2.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DXJ
WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund		1.09%1.29%3.48%3.44%3.02%2.64%2.53%2.47%2.92%2.30%1.98%5.95%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		2.18%2.43%2.76%2.75%2.93%2.42%1.93%2.71%2.75%2.11%2.45%2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

DXJ and XEF.TO have a correlation of 0.61, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XEF.TO is cheaper at 0.23% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XEF.TO is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for DXJ.

DXJ is categorized as Japan Equities, while XEF.TO is Foreign Large Cap Equities. DXJ tracks WisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Index, while XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for DXJ and 0.23% for XEF.TO.

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