EWJ vs. XME

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) and XME (SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index, while XME is a Materials fund tracking the S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EWJ returned 9.21%/yr vs 19.09%/yr for XME. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWJ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XME.

Performance

EWJ vs. XME - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). 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 EWJ having a 13.88% return and XME slightly higher at 14.53%. Over the past 10 years, EWJ has underperformed XME with an annualized return of 9.21%, while XME has yielded a comparatively higher 19.09% annualized return.

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%

XME

• 1D: -0.01%
• 1M: -1.95%
• YTD: 14.53%
• 6M: 20.99%
• 1Y: 84.92%
• 3Y*: 35.78%
• 5Y*: 21.45%
• 10Y*: 19.09%

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

EWJ vs. XME - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	14.53%	83.47%	-4.54%	21.51%	13.13%	34.92%	15.95%	14.69%	-26.78%	21.17%

Correlation

The correlation between EWJ and XME is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 22, 2006	0.50

The correlation between EWJ and XME has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.47 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWJ vs. XME - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWJ	XME
Industrials	26.0%	0.4%
Technology	19.1%	2.2%
Financial Services	17.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	-
Communication Services	7.9%	-
Healthcare	6.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.6%	0.8%
Basic Materials	3.0%	75.3%
Real Estate	2.3%	-
Utilities	1.1%	-
Energy	1.1%	23.4%

Return for Risk

EWJ vs. XME — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

XME

XME Risk / Return Rank: 72
XME Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
XME Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
XME Omega Ratio Rank: 70
XME Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XME Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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. XME - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME). 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.

	EWJ	XME	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.53	2.40	-0.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.21	2.85	-0.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.37	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.24	3.78	-1.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.56	9.55	-2.00
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWJ vs. XME - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.53, which is lower than the XME Sharpe Ratio of 2.40. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWJ and XME, 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

	EWJ	XME	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.53	2.40	-0.87
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.66	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.58	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.16	-0.05

Drawdowns

EWJ vs. XME - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWJ drawdown since its inception was -60.93%, smaller than the maximum XME drawdown of -85.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWJ and XME.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWJ	XME	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.93%	-85.89%	+24.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.59%	-22.60%	+9.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.68%	-30.47%	+15.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.14%	-37.27%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.14%	-61.69%	+28.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.32%	-10.72%	+8.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.73%	-44.12%	+22.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.02%	8.92%	-4.90%

Volatility

EWJ vs. XME - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) is 5.21%, while SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) has a volatility of 14.01%. This indicates that EWJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XME based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWJ	XME	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.21%	14.01%	-8.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.51%	27.83%	-12.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.89%	35.60%	-15.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.31%	32.72%	-14.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.31%	32.91%	-15.60%

EWJ vs. XME - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWJ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than XME's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWJ vs. XME - Dividend Comparison

EWJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, more than XME's 0.32% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XME SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF	0.32%	0.38%	0.65%	1.00%	1.64%	0.70%	0.99%	2.43%	2.23%	1.15%	1.02%	2.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWJ and XME in my portfolio?

EWJ and XME have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWJ or XME?

XME has higher volatility (14.01%) compared to EWJ (5.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWJ dropped -60.93% vs XME's -85.89%.

Which ETF is better, EWJ or XME?

On 10-year performance, XME leads with 19.09% vs 9.21% for EWJ. On fees, XME is cheaper at 0.35% 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, EWJ or XME?

Over the 10-year period, XME has performed better with a 19.09% return vs 9.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWJ or XME?

XME is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWJ.

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

EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.97%, compared with 0.32% for XME.

What is the main difference between EWJ and XME?

EWJ is categorized as Japan Equities, while XME is Materials. EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index, while XME tracks S&P Metals & Mining Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for EWJ and 0.35% for XME.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.40 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.