EWJV vs. MJFOX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EWJV (iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF) and MJFOX (Matthews Japan Fund) are both Japan Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, EWJV returned 13.51%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for MJFOX. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EWJV charges 0.15%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for MJFOX.

Performance

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EWJV achieves a 14.97% return, which is significantly lower than MJFOX's 16.96% return.

EWJV

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 6.48%
• YTD: 14.97%
• 6M: 18.88%
• 1Y: 36.33%
• 3Y*: 24.24%
• 5Y*: 13.51%
• 10Y*: —

MJFOX

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 5.70%
• YTD: 16.96%
• 6M: 18.02%
• 1Y: 28.75%
• 3Y*: 23.06%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: 9.08%

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

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	14.97%	33.96%	11.59%	23.60%	-6.02%	5.48%	2.41%	10.48%
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	16.96%	22.72%	16.31%	25.79%	-27.84%	-5.79%	29.80%	15.77%

Correlation

The correlation between EWJV and MJFOX is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2019	0.72

The correlation between EWJV and MJFOX shifts across timeframes, from 0.72 (all time) to 0.82 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

EWJV vs. MJFOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

EWJV

EWJV Risk / Return Rank: 52
EWJV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
EWJV Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
EWJV Omega Ratio Rank: 56
EWJV Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
EWJV Martin Ratio Rank: 45

MJFOX

MJFOX Risk / Return Rank: 23
MJFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MJFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
MJFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 21
MJFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
MJFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. MJFOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) and Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX). 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	MJFOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.90	1.27	+0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.72	1.94	+0.78
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.24	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.48	1.91	+0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.52	6.82	+0.70
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. MJFOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EWJV Sharpe Ratio is 1.90, which is higher than the MJFOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.27. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EWJV and MJFOX, 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	MJFOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.90	1.27	+0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.42	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.48	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.37	+0.32

Drawdowns

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EWJV drawdown since its inception was -30.05%, smaller than the maximum MJFOX drawdown of -63.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EWJV and MJFOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EWJV	MJFOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.05%	-63.52%	+33.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.74%	-14.53%	-0.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.74%	-17.14%	+2.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.39%	-42.85%	+17.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.85%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.99%	-0.49%	-3.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.19%	-21.26%	+15.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.85%	4.04%	+0.81%

Volatility

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) is 3.96%, while Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) has a volatility of 4.91%. This indicates that EWJV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MJFOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EWJV	MJFOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	4.91%	-0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.55%	17.20%	-2.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.22%	21.89%	-2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.01%	20.41%	-2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	18.85%	-0.32%

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EWJV has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than MJFOX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

EWJV vs. MJFOX - Dividend Comparison

EWJV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.66%, more than MJFOX's 1.67% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
EWJV iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF	4.66%	5.35%	4.10%	3.32%	2.71%	2.46%	1.96%	4.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	1.67%	1.96%	2.12%	6.09%	7.19%	8.08%	10.15%	8.63%	4.14%	3.90%	1.15%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EWJV and MJFOX in my portfolio?

EWJV and MJFOX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EWJV or MJFOX?

MJFOX has higher volatility (4.91%) compared to EWJV (3.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EWJV dropped -30.05% vs MJFOX's -63.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.27), 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.