FXY vs. EWJ
Compare and contrast key facts about Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ).
FXY and EWJ are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FXY is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the Japanese Yen. It was launched on Feb 12, 2007. EWJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Japan Index. It was launched on Mar 12, 1996. Both FXY and EWJ are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: FXY or EWJ.
Key characteristics
| FXY | EWJ | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -8.08% | 7.98% |
| 1Y Return | -12.85% | 20.39% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -11.14% | 2.74% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | -6.76% | 6.17% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | -4.52% | 6.19% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -1.30 | 1.39 |
| Daily Std Dev | 9.44% | 14.83% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.92% | -58.89% |
| Current Drawdown | -53.50% | -3.58% |
Correlation
The correlation between FXY and EWJ is -0.12. This indicates that the assets' prices tend to move in opposite directions. Negative correlation can be particularly beneficial for diversification and risk management, as one asset may offset the losses of the other during market fluctuations.
Performance
FXY vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, FXY achieves a -8.08% return, which is significantly lower than EWJ's 7.98% return. Over the past 10 years, FXY has underperformed EWJ with an annualized return of -4.52%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively higher 6.19% annualized return. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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FXY vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
FXY has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
FXY vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) 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.
Dividends
FXY vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison
FXY has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EWJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FXY Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF | 1.88% | 2.03% | 1.23% | 2.08% | 1.04% | 2.03% | 1.71% | 1.25% | 1.95% | 1.27% | 1.32% | 1.11% |
Drawdowns
FXY vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FXY drawdown since its inception was -54.92%, smaller than the maximum EWJ drawdown of -58.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXY and EWJ. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
FXY vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco CurrencyShares® Japanese Yen Trust (FXY) is 3.80%, while iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has a volatility of 4.62%. This indicates that FXY 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.