JEPI vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - JEPI is a Dividend fund actively managed by JPMorgan, while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. JEPI is actively managed, while EWJ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, JEPI returned 7.28%/yr vs 8.50%/yr for EWJ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JEPI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

JEPI vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) 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, JEPI achieves a 0.04% return, which is significantly lower than EWJ's 13.88% return.

JEPI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: -0.40%
• YTD: 0.04%
• 6M: 0.91%
• 1Y: 7.03%
• 3Y*: 8.80%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: —

EWJ

• 1D: 1.36%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 13.88%
• 6M: 14.67%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 17.05%
• 5Y*: 8.50%
• 10Y*: 9.21%

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

JEPI vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	0.04%	8.09%	12.57%	9.83%	-3.49%	21.52%	18.39%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	13.88%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	28.58%

Correlation

The correlation between JEPI and EWJ is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 21, 2020	0.53

The correlation between JEPI and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.54 - a consistent structural relationship.

JEPI vs. EWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JEPI	EWJ
Technology	19.1%	19.1%
Healthcare	14.1%	6.3%
Industrials	13.8%	26.0%
Consumer Cyclical	11.7%	12.2%
Financial Services	9.8%	17.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.6%	3.6%
Communication Services	6.9%	7.9%
Utilities	6.2%	1.1%
Real Estate	3.5%	2.3%
Energy	3.5%	1.1%
Basic Materials	1.9%	3.0%

Return for Risk

JEPI vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

JEPI

JEPI Risk / Return Rank: 26
JEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 27
JEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
JEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 26

EWJ

EWJ Risk / Return Rank: 50
EWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
EWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
EWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
EWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
EWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 49

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.

JEPI vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) 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.

	JEPI	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.53	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	2.21	-0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.29	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.06	2.24	-1.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.31	7.56	-4.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JEPI vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEPI Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEPI 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

	JEPI	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	1.53	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66	0.47	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.01	0.11	+0.89

Drawdowns

JEPI vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEPI drawdown since its inception was -13.71%, smaller than the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEPI and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEPI	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.71%	-60.93%	+47.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.68%	-13.59%	+6.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.26%	-14.68%	+1.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.71%	-33.14%	+19.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.93%	-2.32%	-2.61%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.12%	-21.73%	+19.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	4.02%	-1.89%

Volatility

JEPI vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is 1.48%, while iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) has a volatility of 5.21%. This indicates that JEPI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JEPI	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.48%	5.21%	-3.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.09%	15.51%	-9.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.89%	19.89%	-12.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.06%	18.31%	-7.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.79%	17.31%	-6.52%

JEPI vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

JEPI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

JEPI vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

JEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.28%, more than EWJ's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.97%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
JEPI JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF	8.28%	8.25%	7.33%	8.40%	11.68%	6.59%	5.79%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JEPI and EWJ in my portfolio?

JEPI and EWJ have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEPI or EWJ?

EWJ has higher volatility (5.21%) compared to JEPI (1.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEPI dropped -13.71% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which ETF is better, JEPI or EWJ?

On 5-year performance, EWJ leads with 8.50% vs 7.28% for JEPI. On fees, JEPI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, JEPI has been the lower-risk option at 1.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JEPI or EWJ?

Over the 5-year period, EWJ has performed better with a 8.50% return vs 7.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JEPI or EWJ?

JEPI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for EWJ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JEPI or EWJ?

JEPI has the higher dividend yield at 8.28%, compared with 3.97% for EWJ.

What is the main difference between JEPI and EWJ?

JEPI is categorized as Dividend, while EWJ is Japan Equities. They also come from different issuers: JPMorgan and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for JEPI and 0.49% for EWJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.90), 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.