EWJV vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

EWJV (iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both Japan Equities funds from iShares - EWJV tracks the MSCI Japan Value Index while EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, EWJV returned 13.72%/yr vs 8.95%/yr for EWJ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EWJV charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

EWJV vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWJV achieves a 14.66% return, which is significantly lower than EWJ's 15.90% return.

EWJV

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.90%
• YTD: 14.66%
• 6M: 18.25%
• 1Y: 34.51%
• 3Y*: 24.13%
• 5Y*: 13.72%
• 10Y*: —

EWJ

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 6M: 17.72%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

EWJV vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	14.66%	33.96%	11.59%	23.60%	-6.02%	5.48%	2.41%	10.48%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	15.90%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	13.20%

Correlation

The correlation between EWJV and EWJ is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2019	0.86

The correlation between EWJV and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

EWJV vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EWJV	EWJ
Financial Services	30.2%	17.5%
Industrials	23.9%	26.0%
Consumer Cyclical	13.8%	12.2%
Technology	9.4%	19.1%
Communication Services	6.3%	7.9%
Healthcare	4.3%	6.3%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.9%	2.3%
Energy	2.1%	1.1%
Basic Materials	2.0%	3.0%
Utilities	1.6%	1.1%

Return for Risk

EWJV vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWJV

EWJV Risk / Return Rank: 50
EWJV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
EWJV Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
EWJV Omega Ratio Rank: 53
EWJV Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
EWJV Martin Ratio Rank: 44

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 46
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

EWJV vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) 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.

	EWJV	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.56	+0.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.60	2.29	+0.31
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.29	+0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.43	2.36	+0.08
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.32	7.94	-0.62
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EWJV vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWJV Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWJV 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

	EWJV	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	1.56	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.49	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.11	+0.57

Drawdowns

EWJV vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWJV drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, smaller than the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWJV and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWJV	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-60.93%	+30.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.74%	-13.59%	-1.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-14.68%	-0.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.39%	-33.14%	+7.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.25%	-0.42%	-3.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-21.74%	+15.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.90%	4.03%	+0.87%

Volatility

EWJV vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) is 4.00%, while iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has a volatility of 4.36%. This indicates that EWJV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWJV	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.00%	4.36%	-0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.56%	15.03%	-0.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.24%	19.56%	-0.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	18.23%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	17.28%	+1.25%

EWJV vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWJV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWJV vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

EWJV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.67%, more than EWJ's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.90%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	4.67%	5.35%	4.10%	3.32%	2.71%	2.46%	1.96%	4.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWJV and EWJ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, EWJV and EWJ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, EWJV or EWJ?

EWJ has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to EWJV (4.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWJV dropped -30.05% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which ETF is better, EWJV or EWJ?

On 5-year performance, EWJV leads with 13.72% vs 8.95% for EWJ. On fees, EWJV is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, EWJV has been the lower-risk option at 4.00%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EWJV or EWJ?

Over the 5-year period, EWJV has performed better with a 13.72% return vs 8.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EWJV or EWJ?

EWJV is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWJ.

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

EWJV has the higher dividend yield at 4.67%, compared with 3.90% for EWJ.

What is the main difference between EWJV and EWJ?

EWJV tracks MSCI Japan Value Index, while EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for EWJV and 0.49% for EWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.56), 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.