HEFA vs. HEWJ
Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ).
HEFA and HEWJ are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. HEFA is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index. It was launched on Jan 31, 2014. HEWJ is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. It was launched on Jan 31, 2014. Both HEFA and HEWJ 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: HEFA or HEWJ.
Key characteristics
| HEFA | HEWJ | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 12.08% | 13.99% |
| 1Y Return | 15.93% | 14.48% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | 9.60% | 12.95% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 10.64% | 14.62% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 8.64% | 10.15% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 1.44 | 0.74 |
| Daily Std Dev | 10.99% | 19.11% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.39% | -31.53% |
| Current Drawdown | -3.15% | -13.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between HEFA and HEWJ is 0.83, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.
Performance
HEFA vs. HEWJ - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, HEFA achieves a 12.08% return, which is significantly lower than HEWJ's 13.99% return. Over the past 10 years, HEFA has underperformed HEWJ with an annualized return of 8.64%, while HEWJ has yielded a comparatively higher 10.15% 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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HEFA vs. HEWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
HEFA has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than HEWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
HEFA vs. HEWJ - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). 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
HEFA vs. HEWJ - Dividend Comparison
HEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.88%, more than HEWJ's 2.04% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF | 2.88% | 3.02% | 25.14% | 3.06% | 2.10% | 5.37% | 4.59% | 2.55% | 3.17% | 3.54% | 3.39% |
HEWJ iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF | 2.04% | 2.02% | 47.68% | 2.03% | 1.20% | 2.77% | 1.37% | 1.21% | 1.88% | 3.25% | 2.15% |
Drawdowns
HEFA vs. HEWJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum HEFA drawdown since its inception was -32.39%, roughly equal to the maximum HEWJ drawdown of -31.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HEFA and HEWJ. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
HEFA vs. HEWJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is 3.79%, while iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) has a volatility of 7.11%. This indicates that HEFA experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HEWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.