HJPSX vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

HJPSX (Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - HJPSX is a Japan Equities fund managed by Hennessy, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, HJPSX returned 10.44%/yr vs 14.82%/yr for VTI. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HJPSX charges 1.57%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

HJPSX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HJPSX achieves a 13.25% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 8.81% return. Over the past 10 years, HJPSX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 10.44%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.82% annualized return.

HJPSX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 13.25%
• 6M: 16.76%
• 1Y: 30.59%
• 3Y*: 19.63%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 10.44%

VTI

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 8.81%
• 6M: 8.81%
• 1Y: 24.58%
• 3Y*: 20.96%
• 5Y*: 12.10%
• 10Y*: 14.82%

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

HJPSX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HJPSX Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund	13.25%	29.02%	8.24%	16.30%	-16.35%	-4.64%	13.43%	19.97%	-12.56%	49.60%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	8.81%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between HJPSX and VTI is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 4, 2007	0.48

The correlation between HJPSX and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.48 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HJPSX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

HJPSX

HJPSX Risk / Return Rank: 42
HJPSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
HJPSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
HJPSX Omega Ratio Rank: 46
HJPSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
HJPSX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (HJPSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.74	1.99	-0.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.41	2.69	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.36	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.04	2.77	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.28	12.60	-6.32
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HJPSX Sharpe Ratio is 1.74, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HJPSX and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.74	1.99	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48	0.70	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.81	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.50	+0.01

Drawdowns

HJPSX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HJPSX drawdown since its inception was -47.91%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HJPSX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	HJPSX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-47.91%	-55.45%	+7.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.77%	-8.92%	-5.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.77%	-19.30%	+4.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.24%	-25.36%	-7.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.80%	-35.00%	+0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.21%	-2.86%	-1.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.05%	-8.02%	-2.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	1.96%	+2.84%

Volatility

HJPSX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (HJPSX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) have volatilities of 3.96% and 3.82%, 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

	HJPSX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.96%	3.82%	+0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.37%	9.55%	+3.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.36%	12.42%	+4.94%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.25%	17.44%	-0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.74%	18.32%	-0.58%

HJPSX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

HJPSX has a 1.57% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

HJPSX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

HJPSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.70%, more than VTI's 1.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HJPSX Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund	11.70%	13.25%	3.64%	0.85%	0.61%	0.43%	0.23%	1.30%	3.46%	2.09%	2.03%	3.34%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.04%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HJPSX and VTI in my portfolio?

HJPSX and VTI have a correlation of 0.51, 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 VTI?

HJPSX has higher volatility (3.96%) compared to VTI (3.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HJPSX dropped -47.91% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.99 vs 1.74), 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.