IBAT vs. AAXJ
IBAT (iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF) and AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IBAT is a Alternative Energy Equities fund tracking the STOXX Global Energy Storage and Materials, while AAXJ is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IBAT returned 105.19% vs 48.69% for AAXJ. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IBAT charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for AAXJ.
Performance
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IBAT achieves a 51.63% return, which is significantly higher than AAXJ's 26.46% return.
IBAT
- 1D
- 1.07%
- 1M
- -4.06%
- YTD
- 51.63%
- 6M
- 46.54%
- 1Y
- 105.19%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
AAXJ
- 1D
- 0.46%
- 1M
- 0.61%
- YTD
- 26.46%
- 6M
- 29.76%
- 1Y
- 48.69%
- 3Y*
- 22.11%
- 5Y*
- 6.41%
- 10Y*
- 10.34%
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
IBAT iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF | 51.63% | 32.09% | -13.29% |
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 26.46% | 31.53% | 8.36% |
Correlation
The correlation between IBAT and AAXJ is 0.73, 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 | 0.73 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2024 | 0.71 |
The correlation between IBAT and AAXJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
IBAT
AAXJ
Industrials
Basic Materials
Technology
Energy
Consumer Cyclical
Utilities
Communication Services
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Financial Services
-
Healthcare
-
Real Estate
-
Industrials
IBAT
AAXJ
Basic Materials
IBAT
AAXJ
Technology
IBAT
AAXJ
Energy
IBAT
AAXJ
Consumer Cyclical
IBAT
AAXJ
Utilities
IBAT
AAXJ
Communication Services
IBAT
-
AAXJ
Consumer Defensive
IBAT
-
AAXJ
Financial Services
IBAT
-
AAXJ
Healthcare
IBAT
-
AAXJ
Real Estate
IBAT
-
AAXJ
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Return for Risk
IBAT vs. AAXJ — Risk / Return Rank
IBAT
AAXJ
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF (IBAT) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| IBAT | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.54 | 1.40 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 7.45 | 3.41 | +4.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 20.84 | 12.55 | +8.29 |
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Drawdowns
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IBAT drawdown since its inception was -28.26%, smaller than the maximum AAXJ drawdown of -49.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IBAT and AAXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IBAT | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -28.26% | -49.37% | +21.11% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.71% | -13.66% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -19.74% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -40.64% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -44.52% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -8.98% | -4.62% | -4.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -7.74% | -14.01% | +6.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.90% | 3.71% | +1.19% |
Volatility
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Volatility Comparison
iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF (IBAT) has a higher volatility of 13.41% compared to iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) at 11.46%. This indicates that IBAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than AAXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| IBAT | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 13.41% | 11.46% | +1.95% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 22.68% | 19.71% | +2.97% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 28.18% | 22.12% | +6.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.58% | 20.32% | +4.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.58% | 20.42% | +4.16% |
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
IBAT has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is lower than AAXJ's 0.68% expense ratio.
Dividends
IBAT vs. AAXJ - Dividend Comparison
IBAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, less than AAXJ's 1.43% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 1.43% | 1.81% | 1.86% | 1.95% | 1.74% | 2.21% | 1.06% | 1.83% | 2.10% | 1.99% | 1.77% | 2.44% |
IBAT iShares Energy Storage & Materials ETF | 0.76% | 1.15% | 1.37% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
IBAT and AAXJ have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IBAT has higher volatility (13.41%) compared to AAXJ (11.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IBAT dropped -28.26% vs AAXJ's -49.37%.
On 1-year performance, IBAT leads with 105.19% vs 48.69% for AAXJ. On fees, IBAT is cheaper at 0.47% per year. On volatility, AAXJ has been the lower-risk option at 11.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, IBAT has performed better with a 105.19% return vs 48.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IBAT is cheaper with a 0.47% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AAXJ.
AAXJ has the higher dividend yield at 1.43%, compared with 0.76% for IBAT.
IBAT is categorized as Alternative Energy Equities, while AAXJ is Asia Pacific Equities. IBAT tracks STOXX Global Energy Storage and Materials, while AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for IBAT and 0.68% for AAXJ.
IBAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.63 vs 2.11), 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.
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