JOF vs. WSTAX

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

JOF (Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund) and WSTAX (Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A) are both mutual funds - JOF is a Japan Equities fund managed by Nomura, while WSTAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Nomura. Over the past 10 years, JOF returned 9.52%/yr vs 23.25%/yr for WSTAX. Their 0.50 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. JOF charges 0.01%/yr vs 1.17%/yr for WSTAX.

Performance

JOF vs. WSTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF) and Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JOF achieves a 8.15% return, which is significantly lower than WSTAX's 31.65% return. Over the past 10 years, JOF has underperformed WSTAX with an annualized return of 9.52%, while WSTAX has yielded a comparatively higher 23.25% annualized return.

JOF

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -2.11%
• 6M: 3.75%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 1Y: 28.77%
• 3Y*: 22.85%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 9.52%
• ALL TIME*: 3.51%

WSTAX

• 1D: 5.34%
• 1M: -3.36%
• 6M: 22.27%
• YTD: 31.65%
• 1Y: 49.56%
• 3Y*: 44.90%
• 5Y*: 21.87%
• 10Y*: 23.25%
• ALL TIME*: 12.44%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	$1.05M	$925.90K	$855.55K
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

JOF vs. WSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	8.15%	52.12%	5.28%	21.40%	-17.07%	-6.15%	4.76%	16.62%	-15.66%	40.78%
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	31.65%	33.91%	59.64%	40.44%	-32.50%	14.19%	36.12%	50.35%	-5.23%	32.77%

Correlation

The correlation between JOF and WSTAX is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2000	0.50

Return for Risk

JOF vs. WSTAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

JOF

JOF Risk / Return Rank: 48
JOF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
JOF Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
JOF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
JOF Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
JOF Martin Ratio Rank: 30

WSTAX

WSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
WSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
WSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
WSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
WSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
WSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

JOF vs. WSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF) and Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX). 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.

	JOF	WSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.45	1.62	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.00	2.15	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.28	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.70	2.77	-1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.43	8.73	-4.30

JOF vs. WSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JOF Sharpe Ratio is 1.45, which is comparable to the WSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JOF and WSTAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JOF vs. WSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JOF drawdown since its inception was -74.98%, which is greater than WSTAX's maximum drawdown of -55.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JOF and WSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JOF	WSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.98%	-55.39%	-19.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.21%	-16.73%	-0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.21%	-27.35%	+10.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.03%	-55.39%	+18.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.37%	-55.39%	+13.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.37%	-9.75%	+2.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.60%	-14.89%	-17.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.61%	5.30%	+1.31%

Volatility

JOF vs. WSTAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF) is 5.28%, while Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) has a volatility of 10.23%. This indicates that JOF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JOF	WSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.28%	10.23%	-4.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.35%	23.94%	-7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.23%	28.62%	-8.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.21%	37.65%	-20.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.61%	31.01%	-13.40%

JOF vs. WSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

JOF has a 0.02% expense ratio, which is lower than WSTAX's 1.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

JOF vs. WSTAX - Dividend Comparison

JOF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.45%, less than WSTAX's 13.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	9.45%	4.80%	4.07%	3.50%	0.71%	7.70%	3.81%	8.30%	20.55%	15.89%	9.63%	8.58%
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	13.91%	18.32%	36.08%	11.62%	33.72%	42.99%	8.89%	11.48%	13.99%	6.95%	0.00%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JOF and WSTAX in my portfolio?

JOF and WSTAX have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JOF or WSTAX?

WSTAX has higher volatility (10.23%) compared to JOF (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JOF dropped -74.98% vs WSTAX's -55.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.45), 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.