EZJ vs. EWJ
EZJ (ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EZJ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index (200%), while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EZJ returned 11.50%/yr vs 9.73%/yr for EWJ. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EZJ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.
Performance
EZJ vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, EZJ achieves a 36.16% return, which is significantly higher than EWJ's 19.87% return. Over the past 10 years, EZJ has outperformed EWJ with an annualized return of 11.50%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively lower 9.73% annualized return.
EZJ
- 1D
- 4.51%
- 1M
- 11.96%
- YTD
- 36.16%
- 6M
- 36.73%
- 1Y
- 70.65%
- 3Y*
- 26.40%
- 5Y*
- 10.03%
- 10Y*
- 11.50%
EWJ
- 1D
- 1.92%
- 1M
- 6.11%
- YTD
- 19.87%
- 6M
- 20.11%
- 1Y
- 37.45%
- 3Y*
- 18.50%
- 5Y*
- 10.02%
- 10Y*
- 9.73%
EZJ vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EZJ ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan | 36.16% | 42.72% | 3.31% | 30.78% | -38.23% | -1.96% | 22.21% | 33.76% | -30.99% | 49.10% |
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF | 19.87% | 25.84% | 7.03% | 20.29% | -17.72% | 1.16% | 15.40% | 19.34% | -14.10% | 24.27% |
Correlation
The correlation between EZJ and EWJ is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2009 | 0.93 |
The correlation between EZJ and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
EZJ vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
EZJ
EWJ
Industrials
Technology
Financial Services
Consumer Cyclical
Communication Services
Healthcare
Consumer Defensive
Basic Materials
Real Estate
Utilities
Energy
Industrials
EZJ
EWJ
Technology
EZJ
EWJ
Financial Services
EZJ
EWJ
Consumer Cyclical
EZJ
EWJ
Communication Services
EZJ
EWJ
Healthcare
EZJ
EWJ
Consumer Defensive
EZJ
EWJ
Basic Materials
EZJ
EWJ
Real Estate
EZJ
EWJ
Utilities
EZJ
EWJ
Energy
EZJ
EWJ
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Return for Risk
EZJ vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank
EZJ
EWJ
EZJ vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan (EZJ) 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.
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.
| EZJ | EWJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.14 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.31 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.30 | 1.34 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.65 | 2.77 | -0.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 8.01 | 9.32 | -1.31 |
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Drawdowns
EZJ vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum EZJ drawdown since its inception was -58.63%, roughly equal to the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EZJ and EWJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| EZJ | EWJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.63% | -60.93% | +2.30% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -26.78% | -13.59% | -13.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -31.48% | -14.68% | -16.80% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -58.63% | -33.14% | -25.49% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -58.63% | -33.14% | -25.49% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -21.25% | -21.71% | +0.46% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.85% | 4.03% | +4.82% |
Volatility
EZJ vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison
ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan (EZJ) has a higher volatility of 13.35% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 6.51%. This indicates that EZJ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| EZJ | EWJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.35% | 6.51% | +6.84% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 32.91% | 16.08% | +16.83% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 41.37% | 20.32% | +21.05% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.93% | 18.40% | +18.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 34.69% | 17.35% | +17.34% |
EZJ vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
EZJ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
EZJ vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison
EZJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.52%, less than EWJ's 3.70% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF | 3.70% | 4.52% | 2.34% | 2.03% | 1.23% | 2.08% | 1.04% | 2.03% | 1.71% | 1.25% | 1.95% | 1.27% |
EZJ ProShares Ultra MSCI Japan | 1.52% | 1.13% | 2.09% | 1.11% | 0.56% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 4.49% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, EZJ 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.
EZJ has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to EWJ (6.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EZJ dropped -58.63% vs EWJ's -60.93%.
On 10-year performance, EZJ leads with 11.50% vs 9.73% for EWJ. On fees, EWJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWJ has been the lower-risk option at 6.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, EZJ has performed better with a 11.50% return vs 9.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
EWJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for EZJ.
EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.70%, compared with 1.52% for EZJ.
EZJ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while EWJ is Japan Equities. EZJ tracks MSCI Japan Index (200%), while EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for EZJ and 0.49% for EWJ.
EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.72), 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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