FPXE vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FPXE (First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FPXE is a Europe Equities fund tracking the IPOX 100 Europe Index, while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, FPXE returned 5.11%/yr vs 8.79%/yr for EWJ. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FPXE charges 0.70%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

FPXE vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) 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, FPXE achieves a 14.30% return, which is significantly lower than EWJ's 16.35% return.

FPXE

• 1D: -0.81%
• 1M: 7.42%
• YTD: 14.30%
• 6M: 16.85%
• 1Y: 20.71%
• 3Y*: 20.83%
• 5Y*: 5.11%
• 10Y*: —

EWJ

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 6.60%
• YTD: 16.35%
• 6M: 17.97%
• 1Y: 32.53%
• 3Y*: 18.29%
• 5Y*: 8.79%
• 10Y*: 9.37%

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

FPXE vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	14.30%	24.46%	16.31%	14.45%	-35.13%	9.00%	35.00%	34.55%	-14.93%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	16.35%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-13.67%

Correlation

The correlation between FPXE and EWJ is 0.63, 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	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2018	0.57

The correlation between FPXE and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.64 - a consistent structural relationship.

FPXE vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FPXE	EWJ
Industrials	24.6%	26.0%
Healthcare	19.7%	6.3%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	12.2%
Technology	12.5%	19.1%
Financial Services	11.5%	17.5%
Basic Materials	8.2%	3.0%
Communication Services	2.6%	7.9%
Utilities	2.6%	1.1%
Energy	2.0%	1.1%
Real Estate	1.6%	2.3%
Consumer Defensive	1.0%	3.6%

Return for Risk

FPXE vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FPXE

FPXE Risk / Return Rank: 34
FPXE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
FPXE Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
FPXE Omega Ratio Rank: 31
FPXE Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
FPXE Martin Ratio Rank: 37

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 48
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 49
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

FPXE vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) 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.

	FPXE	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.68	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.74	2.43	-0.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.31	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	2.40	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.73	8.14	-2.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FPXE vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FPXE Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is lower than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FPXE 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

	FPXE	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.14	1.68	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.48	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.11	+0.34

Drawdowns

FPXE vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FPXE drawdown since its inception was -49.55%, smaller than the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FPXE and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FPXE	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.55%	-60.93%	+11.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-13.59%	+2.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.28%	-14.68%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.55%	-33.14%	-16.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.12%	-0.03%	-1.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.69%	-21.74%	+7.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	4.01%	-0.39%

Volatility

FPXE vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF (FPXE) has a higher volatility of 6.87% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 4.33%. This indicates that FPXE'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.

Volatility by Period

	FPXE	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.87%	4.33%	+2.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.69%	15.02%	+0.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.23%	19.53%	-1.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.71%	18.23%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.16%	17.27%	+4.89%

FPXE vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FPXE has a 0.70% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

FPXE vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

FPXE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.01%, less than EWJ's 3.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.89%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
FPXE First Trust IPOX Europe Equity Opportunities ETF	1.01%	1.15%	2.10%	2.03%	1.81%	0.47%	1.35%	2.06%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FPXE and EWJ in my portfolio?

FPXE and EWJ have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FPXE or EWJ?

FPXE has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to EWJ (4.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FPXE dropped -49.55% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which ETF is better, FPXE or EWJ?

On 5-year performance, EWJ leads with 8.79% vs 5.11% for FPXE. On fees, EWJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, EWJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FPXE or EWJ?

Over the 5-year period, EWJ has performed better with a 8.79% return vs 5.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FPXE or EWJ?

EWJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.70% for FPXE.

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

EWJ has the higher dividend yield at 3.89%, compared with 1.01% for FPXE.

What is the main difference between FPXE and EWJ?

FPXE is categorized as Europe Equities, while EWJ is Japan Equities. FPXE tracks IPOX 100 Europe Index, while EWJ tracks MSCI Japan Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.70% for FPXE and 0.49% for EWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs 1.14), 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.