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JPXN vs. HEWJ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

JPXN vs. HEWJ

Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Documentation

JPXN (iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF) and HEWJ (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF) are both Japan Equities funds from iShares - JPXN tracks the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 while HEWJ tracks the MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JPXN returned 9.04%/yr vs 16.67%/yr for HEWJ. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. JPXN charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HEWJ.

Performance

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (JPXN) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPXN achieves a 18.10% return, which is significantly lower than HEWJ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, JPXN has underperformed HEWJ with an annualized return of 9.04%, while HEWJ has yielded a comparatively higher 16.67% annualized return.

JPXN

1D
1.72%
1M
1.78%
6M
9.98%
YTD
18.10%
1Y
29.79%
3Y*
18.64%
5Y*
9.64%
10Y*
9.04%
ALL TIME*
5.48%

HEWJ

1D
2.48%
1M
-0.17%
6M
12.75%
YTD
20.71%
1Y
45.11%
3Y*
28.13%
5Y*
21.79%
10Y*
16.67%
ALL TIME*
14.05%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

PositionAvg. Volume Value (2W)Avg. Volume Value (1M)Avg. Volume Value (3M)

HEWJ

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF
$1.73M$2.71M$4.09M

JPXN

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF
$766.97K$881.82K$1.31M

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
JPXN
iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF		18.10%26.03%6.48%19.69%-16.29%0.16%15.12%19.40%-14.87%24.41%
HEWJ
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF		20.71%30.25%24.80%36.21%-4.39%12.79%10.29%20.79%-14.68%21.47%

Correlation

The correlation between JPXN and HEWJ is 0.89, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.

0.89

Correlation (3Y)
Balances recent behavior with more history.

0.83

Correlation (5Y)
Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.

0.81

Correlation (10Y)
Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.

0.83

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2014

0.82

The correlation between JPXN and HEWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
JPXN
HEWJ

Industrials

27.3%
24.8%

Technology

19.7%
22.2%

Financial Services

16.0%
19.8%

Consumer Cyclical

10.2%
10.1%

Healthcare

6.2%
5.8%

Communication Services

5.3%
4.9%

Basic Materials

5.1%
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

4.8%
3.4%

Real Estate

2.4%
1.9%

Utilities

1.5%
1.0%

Energy

1.2%
0.9%

Industrials

JPXN
27.3%
HEWJ
24.8%

Technology

JPXN
19.7%
HEWJ
22.2%

Financial Services

JPXN
16.0%
HEWJ
19.8%

Consumer Cyclical

JPXN
10.2%
HEWJ
10.1%

Healthcare

JPXN
6.2%
HEWJ
5.8%

Communication Services

JPXN
5.3%
HEWJ
4.9%

Basic Materials

JPXN
5.1%
HEWJ
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

JPXN
4.8%
HEWJ
3.4%

Real Estate

JPXN
2.4%
HEWJ
1.9%

Utilities

JPXN
1.5%
HEWJ
1.0%

Energy

JPXN
1.2%
HEWJ
0.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF

Often compared with JPXN:
JPXN vs. EWJJPXN vs. DXJJPXN vs. FLJPJPXN vs. FJPNXJPXN vs. XDJP.DEJPXN vs. VOOJPXN vs. SCJ
Often compared with HEWJ:
HEWJ vs. EWJHEWJ vs. EWJVHEWJ vs. DBJPHEWJ vs. FLJHHEWJ vs. DXJHEWJ vs. HEFAHEWJ vs. VOO

Return for Risk

JPXN vs. HEWJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.
JPXN
JPXN Risk / Return Rank: 5656
Overall Rank
JPXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
JPXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
JPXN Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
JPXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 5757
Calmar Ratio Rank
JPXN Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
HEWJ
HEWJ Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
HEWJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
HEWJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
HEWJ Omega Ratio Rank: 8484
Omega Ratio Rank
HEWJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 9191
Calmar Ratio Rank
HEWJ Martin Ratio Rank: 8989
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (JPXN) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ). 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.

JPXNHEWJDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.51
2.25

-0.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.16
2.99

-0.83

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.40

-0.12

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.28

4.37

-2.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.72

14.87

-7.14

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPXN Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is lower than the HEWJ Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPXN and HEWJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPXN drawdown since its inception was -55.54%, which is greater than HEWJ's maximum drawdown of -31.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPXN and HEWJ.

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Drawdown Indicators

JPXNHEWJDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.54%

-31.53%

-24.01%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.11%

-10.37%

-2.74%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.95%

-20.90%

+6.95%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.21%

-20.90%

-12.31%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.21%

-31.53%

-1.68%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.67%

-4.58%

+3.91%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.97%

-6.57%

-8.40%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.87%

3.04%

+0.83%

Volatility

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Volatility Comparison

iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (JPXN) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) have volatilities of 6.75% and 6.48%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

JPXNHEWJDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.75%

6.48%

+0.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.72%

16.28%

+0.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.84%

20.19%

-0.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.01%

19.42%

-1.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.12%

19.49%

-2.37%

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPXN has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is lower than HEWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

JPXN vs. HEWJ - Dividend Comparison

JPXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, less than HEWJ's 4.12% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
HEWJ
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF		4.12%5.10%2.20%2.02%47.68%2.03%1.20%2.78%1.37%1.21%1.88%3.25%
JPXN
iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF		2.71%3.14%2.29%2.57%1.47%2.63%1.27%1.92%1.60%1.50%2.07%1.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

JPXN and HEWJ have a correlation of 0.89, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

JPXN has higher volatility (6.75%) compared to HEWJ (6.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPXN dropped -55.54% vs HEWJ's -31.53%.

On 10-year performance, HEWJ leads with 16.67% vs 9.04% for JPXN. On fees, JPXN is cheaper at 0.48% per year. On volatility, HEWJ has been the lower-risk option at 6.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, HEWJ has performed better with a 16.67% return vs 9.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

JPXN is cheaper with a 0.48% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for HEWJ.

HEWJ has the higher dividend yield at 4.12%, compared with 2.71% for JPXN.

JPXN tracks JPX-Nikkei Index 400, while HEWJ tracks MSCI Japan 100% Hedged to USD Index. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for JPXN and 0.49% for HEWJ.

HEWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 1.51), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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