MSAQX vs. EWJ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

MSAQX (Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio) and EWJ (iShares MSCI Japan ETF) are both funds - MSAQX is a Asia Pacific Equities fund managed by Morgan Stanley, while EWJ is a Japan Equities fund tracking the MSCI Japan Index. Over the past 10 years, MSAQX returned 10.74%/yr vs 9.33%/yr for EWJ. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MSAQX charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for EWJ.

Performance

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) 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, MSAQX achieves a 18.67% return, which is significantly higher than EWJ's 15.90% return. Over the past 10 years, MSAQX has outperformed EWJ with an annualized return of 10.74%, while EWJ has yielded a comparatively lower 9.33% annualized return.

MSAQX

• 1D: 3.32%
• 1M: 13.70%
• YTD: 18.67%
• 6M: 14.61%
• 1Y: 15.27%
• 3Y*: 12.08%
• 5Y*: -4.06%
• 10Y*: 10.74%

EWJ

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 5.98%
• YTD: 15.90%
• 6M: 17.72%
• 1Y: 30.42%
• 3Y*: 18.14%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 9.33%

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

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSAQX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio	18.67%	2.06%	19.71%	-6.83%	-22.01%	-20.52%	52.55%	44.74%	-13.64%	76.83%
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	15.90%	25.84%	7.03%	20.29%	-17.72%	1.16%	15.40%	19.34%	-14.10%	24.27%

Correlation

The correlation between MSAQX and EWJ is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.52

The correlation between MSAQX and EWJ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.55 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSAQX vs. EWJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSAQX

MSAQX Risk / Return Rank: 8
MSAQX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
MSAQX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
MSAQX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
MSAQX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
MSAQX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

EWJ

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

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.

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) 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.

	MSAQX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.75	1.56	-0.82
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	2.29	-1.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.29	-0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.66	2.36	-1.69
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	7.94	-6.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSAQX Sharpe Ratio is 0.75, which is lower than the EWJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSAQX 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

	MSAQX	EWJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.75	1.56	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.17	0.49	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.54	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.11	+0.37

Drawdowns

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSAQX drawdown since its inception was -61.11%, roughly equal to the maximum EWJ drawdown of -60.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSAQX and EWJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSAQX	EWJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.11%	-60.93%	-0.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.57%	-13.59%	-9.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.57%	-14.68%	-8.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-53.29%	-33.14%	-20.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-61.11%	-33.14%	-27.97%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.65%	-0.42%	-31.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.42%	-21.74%	-2.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.13%	4.03%	+5.10%

Volatility

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Volatility Comparison

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio (MSAQX) has a higher volatility of 9.26% compared to iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) at 4.36%. This indicates that MSAQX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than EWJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSAQX	EWJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.26%	4.36%	+4.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.80%	15.03%	+3.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.62%	19.56%	+2.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.53%	18.23%	+6.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.37%	17.28%	+5.09%

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSAQX has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than EWJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSAQX vs. EWJ - Dividend Comparison

MSAQX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EWJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.90%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EWJ iShares MSCI Japan ETF	3.90%	4.52%	2.34%	2.03%	1.23%	2.08%	1.04%	2.03%	1.71%	1.25%	1.95%	1.27%
MSAQX Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. Asia Opportunity Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%	1.82%	0.26%	0.00%	0.88%	1.06%	0.05%	0.69%	1.12%	2.24%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSAQX and EWJ in my portfolio?

MSAQX and EWJ have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSAQX or EWJ?

MSAQX has higher volatility (9.26%) compared to EWJ (4.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSAQX dropped -61.11% vs EWJ's -60.93%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EWJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.56 vs 0.75), 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.