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EWJ vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EWJ vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWJ returned 9.55%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWJ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

EWJ vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWJ achieves a 14.83% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, EWJ has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 9.55%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 15.02% annualized return.

EWJ

1D
0.57%
1M
1.80%
YTD
14.83%
6M
14.50%
1Y
31.74%
3Y*
16.57%
5Y*
8.56%
10Y*
9.55%

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
1.00%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
26.27%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EWJ vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EWJ
iShares MSCI Japan ETF		14.83%25.84%7.03%20.29%-17.72%1.16%15.40%19.34%-14.10%24.27%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between EWJ and VTI is 0.66, 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

0.66

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

0.63

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

0.67

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

0.67

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001

0.66

The correlation between EWJ and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWJ vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EWJ
VTI

Industrials

24.5%
9.5%

Technology

21.7%
33.3%

Financial Services

17.0%
11.9%

Consumer Cyclical

11.9%
9.8%

Communication Services

8.9%
10.1%

Healthcare

5.6%
9.1%

Basic Materials

3.4%
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

3.3%
4.7%

Real Estate

1.9%
2.4%

Utilities

1.0%
2.7%

Energy

0.9%
3.8%

Industrials

EWJ
24.5%
VTI
9.5%

Technology

EWJ
21.7%
VTI
33.3%

Financial Services

EWJ
17.0%
VTI
11.9%

Consumer Cyclical

EWJ
11.9%
VTI
9.8%

Communication Services

EWJ
8.9%
VTI
10.1%

Healthcare

EWJ
5.6%
VTI
9.1%

Basic Materials

EWJ
3.4%
VTI
2.0%

Consumer Defensive

EWJ
3.3%
VTI
4.7%

Real Estate

EWJ
1.9%
VTI
2.4%

Utilities

EWJ
1.0%
VTI
2.7%

Energy

EWJ
0.9%
VTI
3.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares MSCI Japan ETF

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with EWJ:
EWJ vs. DXJEWJ vs. ^N225EWJ vs. EWJVEWJ vs. EWYEWJ vs. FLJPEWJ vs. HEWJEWJ vs. JPXN
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

EWJ vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EWJ
EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 5151
Overall Rank
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 5151
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
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.

EWJ vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

EWJVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.52
1.97

-0.45

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.21
2.67

-0.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.35

-0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.27

2.79

-0.52

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.62

12.52

-4.90

EWJ vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWJ and VTI, 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

EWJ vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWJ drawdown since its inception was -60.93%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWJ and VTI.

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Drawdown Indicators

EWJVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-60.93%

-55.45%

-5.48%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.59%

-8.92%

-4.67%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.68%

-19.30%

+4.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.14%

-25.36%

-7.78%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.14%

-35.00%

+1.86%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.51%

-2.14%

+0.63%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-21.72%

-8.02%

-13.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.04%

1.99%

+2.05%

Volatility

EWJ vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has a higher volatility of 6.31% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.50%. This indicates that EWJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EWJVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.31%

4.50%

+1.81%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.96%

9.82%

+6.14%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.23%

12.64%

+7.59%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.38%

17.47%

+0.91%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.33%

18.33%

-1.00%

EWJ vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWJ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWJ vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

EWJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.94%, more than VTI's 1.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EWJ
iShares MSCI Japan ETF		3.94%4.52%2.34%2.03%1.23%2.08%1.04%2.03%1.71%1.25%1.95%1.27%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

EWJ and VTI have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EWJ has higher volatility (6.31%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWJ dropped -60.93% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, VTI leads with 15.02% vs 9.55% for EWJ. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, VTI has performed better with a 15.02% return vs 9.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWJ.

EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.94%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.

EWJ is categorized as Japan Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index, while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWJ and 0.03% for VTI.

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.97 vs 1.52), 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.

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