HJPSX vs. MJFOX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

HJPSX (Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund) and MJFOX (Matthews Japan Fund) are both Japan Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, HJPSX returned 10.57%/yr vs 9.16%/yr for MJFOX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HJPSX charges 1.57%/yr vs 1.05%/yr for MJFOX.

Performance

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (HJPSX) and Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HJPSX achieves a 14.89% return, which is significantly lower than MJFOX's 17.83% return. Over the past 10 years, HJPSX has outperformed MJFOX with an annualized return of 10.57%, while MJFOX has yielded a comparatively lower 9.16% annualized return.

HJPSX

• 1D: 0.95%
• 1M: 4.73%
• YTD: 14.89%
• 6M: 18.45%
• 1Y: 30.85%
• 3Y*: 20.52%
• 5Y*: 8.44%
• 10Y*: 10.57%

MJFOX

• 1D: 0.74%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 17.83%
• 6M: 17.69%
• 1Y: 29.59%
• 3Y*: 23.37%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 9.16%

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

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HJPSX Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund	14.89%	29.02%	8.24%	16.30%	-16.35%	-4.64%	13.43%	19.97%	-12.56%	49.60%
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	17.83%	22.72%	16.31%	25.79%	-27.84%	-5.79%	29.80%	26.08%	-20.12%	33.22%

Correlation

The correlation between HJPSX and MJFOX is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 5, 2007	0.78

The correlation between HJPSX and MJFOX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.81 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HJPSX vs. MJFOX — Risk / Return Rank

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

HJPSX

HJPSX Risk / Return Rank: 37
HJPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
HJPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
HJPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 40
HJPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
HJPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

MJFOX

MJFOX Risk / Return Rank: 29
MJFOX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
MJFOX Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
MJFOX Omega Ratio Rank: 27
MJFOX Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
MJFOX Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (HJPSX) and Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX). 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.

	HJPSX	MJFOX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.85	1.42	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	2.13	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.27	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	2.12	+0.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.70	7.57	-0.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HJPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the MJFOX Sharpe Ratio of 1.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HJPSX and MJFOX, 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

	HJPSX	MJFOX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.85	1.42	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.42	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.49	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.37	+0.15

Drawdowns

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HJPSX drawdown since its inception was -47.91%, smaller than the maximum MJFOX drawdown of -63.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HJPSX and MJFOX.

Drawdown Indicators

	HJPSX	MJFOX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.91%	-63.52%	+15.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.77%	-14.53%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.77%	-17.14%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.24%	-42.85%	+9.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.80%	-42.85%	+8.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.82%	0.00%	-2.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.06%	-21.25%	+11.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.78%	4.04%	+0.74%

Volatility

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (HJPSX) is 4.12%, while Matthews Japan Fund (MJFOX) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that HJPSX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MJFOX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HJPSX	MJFOX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.92%	-0.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.34%	16.99%	-3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.36%	21.81%	-4.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.24%	20.42%	-3.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.74%	18.85%	-1.11%

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Expense Ratio Comparison

HJPSX has a 1.57% expense ratio, which is higher than MJFOX's 1.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

HJPSX vs. MJFOX - Dividend Comparison

HJPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.53%, more than MJFOX's 1.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HJPSX Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund	11.53%	13.25%	3.64%	0.85%	0.61%	0.43%	0.23%	1.30%	3.46%	2.09%	2.03%	3.34%
MJFOX Matthews Japan Fund	1.66%	1.96%	2.12%	6.09%	7.19%	8.08%	10.15%	8.63%	4.14%	3.90%	1.15%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HJPSX and MJFOX in my portfolio?

HJPSX and MJFOX have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HJPSX or MJFOX?

MJFOX has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to HJPSX (4.12%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HJPSX dropped -47.91% vs MJFOX's -63.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HJPSX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.42), 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.