EPP vs. AAXJ
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ).
EPP and AAXJ are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. EPP is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Pacific ex-Japan Index. It was launched on Oct 25, 2001. AAXJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. It was launched on Aug 13, 2008. Both EPP and AAXJ are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: EPP or AAXJ.
Key characteristics
| EPP | AAXJ | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.54% | 5.45% |
| 1Y Return | 2.80% | 9.21% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -2.46% | -7.28% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 1.88% | 1.04% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 2.73% | 3.59% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.14 | 0.57 |
| Daily Std Dev | 16.31% | 15.88% |
| Max Drawdown | -66.01% | -49.37% |
| Current Drawdown | -10.05% | -26.95% |
Correlation
The correlation between EPP and AAXJ is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
EPP vs. AAXJ - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, EPP achieves a -1.54% return, which is significantly lower than AAXJ's 5.45% return. Over the past 10 years, EPP has underperformed AAXJ with an annualized return of 2.73%, while AAXJ has yielded a comparatively higher 3.59% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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EPP vs. AAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
EPP has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than AAXJ's 0.68% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
EPP vs. AAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ). 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.
Dividends
EPP vs. AAXJ - Dividend Comparison
EPP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.17%, more than AAXJ's 2.14% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EPP iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF | 4.17% | 4.10% | 4.37% | 4.58% | 2.28% | 3.89% | 5.00% | 4.15% | 3.96% | 4.90% | 4.33% | 4.08% |
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 2.14% | 2.26% | 1.73% | 2.20% | 1.05% | 1.82% | 2.09% | 1.98% | 1.76% | 2.43% | 1.77% | 1.76% |
Drawdowns
EPP vs. AAXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EPP drawdown since its inception was -66.01%, which is greater than AAXJ's maximum drawdown of -49.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EPP and AAXJ. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
EPP vs. AAXJ - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Pacific ex Japan ETF (EPP) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) have volatilities of 5.58% and 5.34%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.