HJPNX vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

HJPNX (Hennessy Japan Fund) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both Japan Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HJPNX returned 9.73%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for EWJ. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HJPNX charges 1.44%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hennessy Japan Fund (HJPNX) 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, HJPNX achieves a 19.67% return, which is significantly higher than EWJ's 15.90% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with HJPNX having a 9.73% annualized return and EWJ not far behind at 9.33%.

HJPNX

• 1D: 1.60%
• 1M: 10.33%
• YTD: 19.67%
• 6M: 22.50%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 20.49%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.73%

EWJ

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 6M: 17.72%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HJPNX Hennessy Japan Fund	19.67%	14.58%	18.72%	22.90%	-30.65%	-3.08%	25.52%	18.04%	-6.57%	32.04%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	15.90%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-14.10%	24.27%

Correlation

The correlation between HJPNX and EWJ 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	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2003	0.78

The correlation between HJPNX and EWJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HJPNX vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

HJPNX

HJPNX Risk / Return Rank: 28
HJPNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
HJPNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
HJPNX Omega Ratio Rank: 24
HJPNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
HJPNX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 46
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 46
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

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.

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Japan Fund (HJPNX) 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.

	HJPNX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.44	1.56	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.05	2.29	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.29	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	2.36	-0.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.70	7.94	-0.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HJPNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HJPNX 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

	HJPNX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.44	1.56	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.49	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.54	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	0.11	+0.33

Drawdowns

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HJPNX drawdown since its inception was -59.65%, roughly equal to the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HJPNX and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	HJPNX	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.65%	-60.93%	+1.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.18%	-13.59%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.06%	-14.68%	-5.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.72%	-33.14%	-11.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.72%	-33.14%	-11.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.42%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.57%	-21.74%	+6.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.22%	4.03%	+0.19%

Volatility

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

Hennessy Japan Fund (HJPNX) and iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) have volatilities of 4.16% and 4.36%, 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

	HJPNX	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	4.36%	-0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.66%	15.03%	+1.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.70%	19.56%	+3.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.99%	18.23%	+2.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.80%	17.28%	+1.52%

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

HJPNX has a 1.44% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

HJPNX vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

HJPNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.72%, more than EWJ's 3.90% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.90%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
HJPNX Hennessy Japan Fund	10.72%	12.83%	5.80%	5.87%	0.00%	0.89%	0.00%	0.13%	0.04%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HJPNX and EWJ in my portfolio?

HJPNX and EWJ 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, HJPNX or EWJ?

EWJ has higher volatility (4.36%) compared to HJPNX (4.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HJPNX dropped -59.65% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 1.44), 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.