PWJZX vs. HEFA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PWJZX (PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund) and HEFA (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PWJZX returned 11.92%/yr vs 12.65%/yr for HEFA. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PWJZX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HEFA.

Performance

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund (PWJZX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PWJZX achieves a 13.36% return, which is significantly higher than HEFA's 10.74% return. Over the past 10 years, PWJZX has underperformed HEFA with an annualized return of 11.92%, while HEFA has yielded a comparatively higher 12.65% annualized return.

PWJZX

• 1D: 2.11%
• 1M: 10.52%
• YTD: 13.36%
• 6M: 13.34%
• 1Y: 15.34%
• 3Y*: 12.79%
• 5Y*: 2.65%
• 10Y*: 11.92%

HEFA

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 4.11%
• YTD: 10.74%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 26.32%
• 3Y*: 18.49%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 12.65%

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

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PWJZX PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund	13.36%	14.53%	6.84%	20.25%	-36.95%	13.27%	55.57%	38.16%	-12.93%	49.58%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	10.74%	24.58%	13.71%	20.33%	-4.86%	19.59%	2.09%	27.63%	-9.33%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between PWJZX and HEFA is 0.75, 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	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2014	0.73

The correlation between PWJZX and HEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PWJZX vs. HEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PWJZX

PWJZX Risk / Return Rank: 9
PWJZX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
PWJZX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
PWJZX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
PWJZX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
PWJZX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

HEFA

HEFA Risk / Return Rank: 62
HEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
HEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
HEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 64
HEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
HEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund (PWJZX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). 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.

	PWJZX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	2.10	-1.36
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	2.94	-1.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.39	-0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.92	2.83	-1.91
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.28	11.83	-8.56
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PWJZX Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the HEFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PWJZX and HEFA, 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

	PWJZX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	2.10	-1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	1.00	-0.88
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.80	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.49	0.67	-0.18

Drawdowns

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PWJZX drawdown since its inception was -48.22%, which is greater than HEFA's maximum drawdown of -32.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PWJZX and HEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PWJZX	HEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.22%	-32.39%	-15.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.08%	-9.52%	-8.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.18%	-14.28%	-5.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.22%	-14.79%	-33.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.22%	-32.39%	-15.83%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.90%	0.00%	-2.90%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.06%	-4.17%	-8.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.09%	2.28%	+2.81%

Volatility

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Volatility Comparison

PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund (PWJZX) has a higher volatility of 9.75% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) at 4.17%. This indicates that PWJZX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PWJZX	HEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.75%	4.17%	+5.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.70%	10.13%	+9.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.24%	12.59%	+9.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.26%	13.76%	+8.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.05%	15.86%	+5.19%

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PWJZX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than HEFA's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

PWJZX vs. HEFA - Dividend Comparison

PWJZX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than HEFA's 3.97% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	3.97%	4.40%	3.09%	3.02%	25.14%	3.06%	2.10%	7.56%	4.58%	2.55%	3.17%	3.54%
PWJZX PGIM Jennison International Opportunities Fund	0.16%	0.19%	0.07%	0.09%	0.00%	0.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.17%	0.24%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PWJZX and HEFA in my portfolio?

PWJZX and HEFA have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PWJZX or HEFA?

PWJZX has higher volatility (9.75%) compared to HEFA (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PWJZX dropped -48.22% vs HEFA's -32.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 0.74), 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.