SCJ vs. JOF

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCJ (iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF) and JOF (Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund) are both Japan Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, SCJ returned 7.55%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for JOF. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCJ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for JOF.

Performance

SCJ vs. JOF - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCJ achieves a 14.35% return, which is significantly higher than JOF's 9.44% return. Over the past 10 years, SCJ has underperformed JOF with an annualized return of 7.55%, while JOF has yielded a comparatively higher 10.06% annualized return.

SCJ

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: 5.04%
• YTD: 14.35%
• 6M: 16.37%
• 1Y: 30.15%
• 3Y*: 17.70%
• 5Y*: 7.36%
• 10Y*: 7.55%

JOF

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 4.53%
• YTD: 9.44%
• 6M: 15.70%
• 1Y: 33.71%
• 3Y*: 23.67%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

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

SCJ vs. JOF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	14.35%	29.58%	3.41%	13.22%	-12.75%	-2.95%	7.46%	16.16%	-17.17%	31.61%
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	9.44%	52.12%	5.28%	21.40%	-17.07%	-6.15%	4.76%	16.62%	-15.66%	40.78%

Correlation

The correlation between SCJ and JOF is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 28, 2007	0.68

The correlation between SCJ and JOF has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SCJ vs. JOF — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCJ

SCJ Risk / Return Rank: 53
SCJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
SCJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
SCJ Omega Ratio Rank: 54
SCJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
SCJ Martin Ratio Rank: 50

JOF

JOF Risk / Return Rank: 30
JOF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
JOF Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
JOF Omega Ratio Rank: 34
JOF Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
JOF Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

SCJ vs. JOF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) and Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF). 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.

	SCJ	JOF	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.74	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.34	+0.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.31	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	1.97	+0.52
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.42	5.56	+2.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SCJ vs. JOF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the JOF Sharpe Ratio of 1.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCJ and JOF, 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

	SCJ	JOF	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	1.74	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.59	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	0.57	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.11	+0.19

Drawdowns

SCJ vs. JOF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCJ drawdown since its inception was -43.52%, smaller than the maximum JOF drawdown of -74.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCJ and JOF.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCJ	JOF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.52%	-74.98%	+31.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.17%	-17.21%	+5.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.43%	-17.21%	+4.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.25%	-37.03%	+3.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.87%	-42.37%	+3.50%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.82%	-6.26%	+4.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.38%	-32.71%	+22.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	6.08%	-2.49%

Volatility

SCJ vs. JOF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) is 4.03%, while Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF) has a volatility of 5.11%. This indicates that SCJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JOF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCJ	JOF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	5.11%	-1.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.13%	15.35%	-2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.11%	19.50%	-3.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.81%	16.96%	-1.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.29%	17.58%	-1.29%

SCJ vs. JOF - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCJ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than JOF's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCJ vs. JOF - Dividend Comparison

SCJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than JOF's 8.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	8.37%	4.80%	4.07%	3.50%	0.71%	7.70%	3.81%	8.30%	20.55%	15.89%	9.63%	8.58%
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	2.75%	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 SCJ and JOF in my portfolio?

SCJ and JOF have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCJ or JOF?

JOF has higher volatility (5.11%) compared to SCJ (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCJ dropped -43.52% vs JOF's -74.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.74), 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.