FLJP vs. SCJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FLJP (Franklin FTSE Japan ETF) and SCJ (iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF) are both Japan Equities funds - FLJP tracks the FTSE Japan RIC Capped Index while SCJ tracks the MSCI Japan Small Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FLJP returned 9.03%/yr vs 7.36%/yr for SCJ. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FLJP charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for SCJ.

Performance

FLJP vs. SCJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) and iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FLJP achieves a 16.23% return, which is significantly higher than SCJ's 14.35% return.

FLJP

• 1D: 0.33%
• 1M: 6.40%
• YTD: 16.23%
• 6M: 17.97%
• 1Y: 32.70%
• 3Y*: 18.66%
• 5Y*: 9.03%
• 10Y*: —

SCJ

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 14.35%
• 6M: 16.37%
• 1Y: 30.15%
• 3Y*: 17.70%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 7.55%

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

FLJP vs. SCJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FLJP Franklin FTSE Japan ETF	16.23%	26.79%	6.99%	20.00%	-16.57%	0.99%	15.76%	18.99%	-14.01%	2.22%
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	14.35%	29.58%	3.41%	13.22%	-12.75%	-2.95%	7.46%	16.16%	-17.17%	4.08%

Correlation

The correlation between FLJP and SCJ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2017	0.89

The correlation between FLJP and SCJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

FLJP vs. SCJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FLJP	SCJ
Industrials	25.4%	28.9%
Technology	19.7%	11.2%
Financial Services	16.0%	9.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	14.6%
Communication Services	6.3%	2.9%
Healthcare	5.8%	4.4%
Basic Materials	4.9%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	6.8%
Real Estate	2.9%	8.4%
Utilities	1.2%	2.1%
Energy	0.9%	0.8%

Return for Risk

FLJP vs. SCJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FLJP

FLJP Risk / Return Rank: 50
FLJP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
FLJP Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
FLJP Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FLJP Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
FLJP Martin Ratio Rank: 50

SCJ

SCJ Risk / Return Rank: 53
SCJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SCJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SCJ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SCJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SCJ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

FLJP vs. SCJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) and iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ). 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.

	FLJP	SCJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.88	-0.14
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	2.67	-0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.34	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.47	2.49	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.62	8.42	+0.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FLJP vs. SCJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FLJP Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the SCJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FLJP and SCJ, 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

	FLJP	SCJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.88	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51	0.47	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.46	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.30	+0.15

Drawdowns

FLJP vs. SCJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FLJP drawdown since its inception was -32.49%, smaller than the maximum SCJ drawdown of -43.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FLJP and SCJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FLJP	SCJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.49%	-43.52%	+11.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.30%	-12.17%	-1.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.17%	-12.43%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.49%	-33.25%	+0.76%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.07%	-1.82%	+1.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.37%	-10.38%	+1.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.80%	3.59%	+0.21%

Volatility

FLJP vs. SCJ - Volatility Comparison

Franklin FTSE Japan ETF (FLJP) and iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) have volatilities of 4.11% and 4.03%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FLJP	SCJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.11%	4.03%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.72%	13.13%	+1.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.92%	16.11%	+2.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.75%	15.81%	+1.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.79%	16.29%	+1.50%

FLJP vs. SCJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FLJP has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than SCJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FLJP vs. SCJ - Dividend Comparison

FLJP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.43%, more than SCJ's 2.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLJP Franklin FTSE Japan ETF	4.43%	5.15%	4.56%	3.00%	1.92%	2.40%	1.51%	2.26%	1.50%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	2.75%	3.14%	1.79%	1.99%	1.18%	1.87%	0.89%	1.85%	1.44%	1.45%	2.73%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FLJP and SCJ in my portfolio?

FLJP and SCJ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FLJP or SCJ?

FLJP has higher volatility (4.11%) compared to SCJ (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FLJP dropped -32.49% vs SCJ's -43.52%.

Which ETF is better, FLJP or SCJ?

On 5-year performance, FLJP leads with 9.03% vs 7.36% for SCJ. On fees, FLJP is cheaper at 0.09% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FLJP or SCJ?

Over the 5-year period, FLJP has performed better with a 9.03% return vs 7.36%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FLJP or SCJ?

FLJP is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for SCJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FLJP or SCJ?

FLJP has the higher dividend yield at 4.43%, compared with 2.75% for SCJ.

What is the main difference between FLJP and SCJ?

FLJP tracks FTSE Japan RIC Capped Index, while SCJ tracks MSCI Japan Small Cap Index. They also come from different issuers: Franklin Templeton and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for FLJP and 0.49% for SCJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.74), 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.