JPAN vs. FJP

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

JPAN (Matthews Japan Active ETF) and FJP (First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund) are both Japan Equities funds. JPAN is actively managed, while FJP is passively managed. Over the past year, JPAN returned 27.88% vs 33.53% for FJP. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JPAN charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.80%/yr for FJP.

Performance

JPAN vs. FJP - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN) and First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FJP). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPAN achieves a 17.03% return, which is significantly higher than FJP's 14.28% return.

JPAN

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 6.19%
• YTD: 17.03%
• 6M: 18.72%
• 1Y: 27.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FJP

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 2.90%
• YTD: 14.28%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 33.53%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 10.81%
• 10Y*: 7.48%

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

JPAN vs. FJP - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
JPAN Matthews Japan Active ETF	17.03%	22.96%	18.16%	5.77%
FJP First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund	14.28%	33.60%	5.80%	-0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between JPAN and FJP is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2023	0.79

The correlation between JPAN and FJP has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

JPAN vs. FJP - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JPAN	FJP
Industrials	25.5%	45.0%
Technology	21.7%	8.9%
Financial Services	19.2%	5.6%
Consumer Cyclical	12.4%	12.0%
Communication Services	6.8%	0.7%
Consumer Defensive	3.3%	0.8%
Basic Materials	3.2%	9.7%
Healthcare	2.6%	3.6%
Real Estate	2.2%	3.5%
Energy	0.7%	4.2%
Utilities	-	6.1%

Return for Risk

JPAN vs. FJP — Risk / Return Rank

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

JPAN

JPAN Risk / Return Rank: 41
JPAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 40
JPAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
JPAN Omega Ratio Rank: 40
JPAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
JPAN Martin Ratio Rank: 44

FJP

FJP Risk / Return Rank: 46
FJP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
FJP Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
FJP Omega Ratio Rank: 46
FJP Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
FJP Martin Ratio Rank: 44

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.

JPAN vs. FJP - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN) and First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FJP). 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.

	JPAN	FJP	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.43	1.63	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.28	-0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.29	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.06	2.33	-0.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.32	7.20	+0.12
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPAN vs. FJP - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPAN Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the FJP Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPAN and FJP, 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

	JPAN	FJP	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.43	1.63	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.40	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.27	0.32	+0.95

Drawdowns

JPAN vs. FJP - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPAN drawdown since its inception was -15.24%, smaller than the maximum FJP drawdown of -41.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPAN and FJP.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPAN	FJP	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.24%	-41.51%	+26.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.59%	-14.43%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-17.02%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-31.88%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.31%	-6.34%	+6.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.09%	-11.46%	+8.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.11%	4.67%	-0.56%

Volatility

JPAN vs. FJP - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN) is 4.63%, while First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund (FJP) has a volatility of 6.51%. This indicates that JPAN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FJP based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JPAN	FJP	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.63%	6.51%	-1.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.69%	16.87%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.69%	20.70%	-1.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.27%	20.35%	-1.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.27%	18.88%	+0.39%

JPAN vs. FJP - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPAN has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than FJP's 0.80% expense ratio.

Dividends

JPAN vs. FJP - Dividend Comparison

JPAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.36%, more than FJP's 2.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FJP First Trust Japan AlphaDEX Fund	2.49%	2.68%	3.18%	3.49%	2.21%	2.43%	0.99%	2.80%	1.54%	1.29%	1.46%	0.85%
JPAN Matthews Japan Active ETF	4.36%	5.10%	1.53%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JPAN and FJP in my portfolio?

JPAN and FJP have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPAN or FJP?

FJP has higher volatility (6.51%) compared to JPAN (4.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPAN dropped -15.24% vs FJP's -41.51%.

Which ETF is better, JPAN or FJP?

On 1-year performance, FJP leads with 33.53% vs 27.88% for JPAN. On fees, JPAN is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, JPAN has been the lower-risk option at 4.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JPAN or FJP?

Over the 1-year period, FJP has performed better with a 33.53% return vs 27.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JPAN or FJP?

JPAN is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.80% for FJP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JPAN or FJP?

JPAN has the higher dividend yield at 4.36%, compared with 2.49% for FJP.

What is the main difference between JPAN and FJP?

They also come from different issuers: Matthews and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for JPAN and 0.80% for FJP.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FJP currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.43), 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.