JPXN vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

JPXN (iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - JPXN is a Japan Equities fund tracking the JPX-Nikkei Index 400, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, JPXN returned 9.05%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for IAU. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. JPXN charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

JPXN vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JPXN achieves a 15.82% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 3.83% return. Over the past 10 years, JPXN has underperformed IAU with an annualized return of 9.05%, while IAU has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

JPXN

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: 15.82%
• 6M: 16.06%
• 1Y: 30.74%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 8.72%
• 10Y*: 9.05%

IAU

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: -1.65%
• YTD: 3.83%
• 6M: 6.31%
• 1Y: 32.47%
• 3Y*: 31.39%
• 5Y*: 18.52%
• 10Y*: 13.38%

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

JPXN vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JPXN iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF	15.82%	26.03%	6.48%	19.69%	-16.29%	0.16%	15.12%	19.40%	-14.87%	24.41%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	3.83%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	25.03%	17.98%	-1.76%	12.91%

Correlation

The correlation between JPXN and IAU is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2005	0.14

The correlation between JPXN and IAU shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.30 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

JPXN vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	JPXN	IAU
Industrials	28.3%	-
Technology	17.3%	-
Financial Services	13.7%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.3%	-
Communication Services	7.8%	-
Healthcare	6.2%	-
Basic Materials	5.0%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Real Estate	2.8%	100.0%
Utilities	1.6%	-
Energy	1.4%	-

Return for Risk

JPXN vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

JPXN

JPXN Risk / Return Rank: 49
JPXN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
JPXN Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
JPXN Omega Ratio Rank: 50
JPXN Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
JPXN Martin Ratio Rank: 50

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 34
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 39
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

JPXN vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (JPXN) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	JPXN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.24	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	1.63	+0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.25	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.36	1.70	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.20	4.18	+4.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JPXN vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JPXN Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JPXN and IAU, 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

	JPXN	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.24	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	1.04	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.84	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.63	-0.36

Drawdowns

JPXN vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JPXN drawdown since its inception was -55.54%, which is greater than IAU's maximum drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JPXN and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	JPXN	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.54%	-45.14%	-10.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.11%	-19.18%	+6.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.95%	-19.18%	+5.23%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.21%	-20.93%	-12.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.21%	-21.82%	-11.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.84%	-17.02%	+16.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.06%	-15.96%	+0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.76%	7.79%	-4.03%

Volatility

JPXN vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares JPX-Nikkei 400 ETF (JPXN) is 4.26%, while iShares Gold Trust (IAU) has a volatility of 5.50%. This indicates that JPXN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JPXN	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.26%	5.50%	-1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.68%	23.03%	-8.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.76%	26.41%	-7.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.69%	17.94%	-0.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.06%	15.90%	+1.16%

JPXN vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

JPXN has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

JPXN vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

JPXN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.71%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both JPXN and IAU in my portfolio?

JPXN and IAU have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JPXN or IAU?

IAU has higher volatility (5.50%) compared to JPXN (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JPXN dropped -55.54% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, JPXN or IAU?

On 10-year performance, IAU leads with 13.38% vs 9.05% for JPXN. On fees, IAU is cheaper at 0.25% per year. On volatility, JPXN has been the lower-risk option at 4.26%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, JPXN or IAU?

Over the 10-year period, IAU has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 9.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, JPXN or IAU?

IAU is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for JPXN.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, JPXN or IAU?

JPXN has the higher dividend yield at 2.71%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between JPXN and IAU?

JPXN is categorized as Japan Equities, while IAU is Gold. JPXN tracks JPX-Nikkei Index 400, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for JPXN and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JPXN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.65 vs 1.24), 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.