NBJP vs. SCJ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

NBJP (Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF) and SCJ (iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF) are both Japan Equities funds. NBJP is actively managed, while SCJ is passively managed. Over the past year, NBJP returned 27.79% vs 25.74% for SCJ. Their correlation of 0.89 means they have usually moved in the same direction. NBJP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for SCJ.

Performance

NBJP vs. SCJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF (NBJP) and iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NBJP achieves a 14.39% return, which is significantly lower than SCJ's 15.89% return.

NBJP

• 1D: -0.33%
• 1M: -4.55%
• 6M: 7.44%
• YTD: 14.39%
• 1Y: 27.79%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 21.93%

SCJ

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: -1.70%
• 6M: 9.71%
• YTD: 15.89%
• 1Y: 25.74%
• 3Y*: 17.39%
• 5Y*: 7.87%
• 10Y*: 7.48%
• ALL TIME*: 6.06%

*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)
NBJP Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF	$908.32K	$596.18K	$649.03K
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	$4.19M	$4.72M	$5.32M

NBJP vs. SCJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
NBJP Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF	14.39%	30.41%	-2.65%
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	15.89%	29.58%	-4.11%

Correlation

The correlation between NBJP and SCJ 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 (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 12, 2024	0.89

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

Return for Risk

NBJP vs. SCJ — Risk / Return Rank

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

NBJP

NBJP Risk / Return Rank: 54
NBJP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
NBJP Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
NBJP Omega Ratio Rank: 54
NBJP Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
NBJP Martin Ratio Rank: 53

SCJ

SCJ Risk / Return Rank: 68
SCJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SCJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SCJ Omega Ratio Rank: 68
SCJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
SCJ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

NBJP vs. SCJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF (NBJP) and iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ). 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.

	NBJP	SCJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.63	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.88	2.30	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.28	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.03	2.30	-0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.22	7.49	-1.27

NBJP vs. SCJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NBJP Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the SCJ Sharpe Ratio of 1.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NBJP and SCJ, 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

NBJP vs. SCJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NBJP drawdown since its inception was -14.34%, smaller than the maximum SCJ drawdown of -43.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NBJP and SCJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	NBJP	SCJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-14.34%	-43.52%	+29.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.34%	-12.17%	-2.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-33.25%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-38.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.27%	-3.27%	-6.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.41%	-10.31%	+6.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.66%	3.74%	+0.92%

Volatility

NBJP vs. SCJ - Volatility Comparison

Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF (NBJP) has a higher volatility of 8.26% compared to iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) at 6.35%. This indicates that NBJP's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NBJP	SCJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.26%	6.35%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.46%	14.53%	+4.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.06%	17.23%	+4.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.56%	16.02%	+4.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.56%	16.34%	+4.22%

NBJP vs. SCJ - Expense Ratio Comparison

NBJP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than SCJ's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

NBJP vs. SCJ - Dividend Comparison

NBJP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.00%, less than SCJ's 2.77% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NBJP Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF	2.00%	2.29%	0.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	2.77%	3.14%	1.79%	1.99%	1.18%	1.87%	0.89%	1.85%	1.44%	1.45%	2.73%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NBJP and SCJ in my portfolio?

NBJP and SCJ 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.

Which is riskier, NBJP or SCJ?

NBJP has higher volatility (8.26%) compared to SCJ (6.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NBJP dropped -14.34% vs SCJ's -43.52%.

Which ETF is better, NBJP or SCJ?

On 1-year performance, NBJP leads with 27.79% vs 25.74% for SCJ. On fees, SCJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, SCJ has been the lower-risk option at 6.35%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NBJP or SCJ?

Over the 1-year period, NBJP has performed better with a 27.79% return vs 25.74%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NBJP or SCJ?

SCJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for NBJP.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NBJP or SCJ?

SCJ has the higher dividend yield at 2.77%, compared with 2.00% for NBJP.

What is the main difference between NBJP and SCJ?

They also come from different issuers: Neuberger Berman and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for NBJP and 0.49% for SCJ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 1.32), 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.