SCJ vs. JPAN

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SCJ (iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF) and JPAN (Matthews Japan Active ETF) are both Japan Equities funds. SCJ is passively managed, while JPAN is actively managed. Over the past year, SCJ returned 30.15% vs 30.43% for JPAN. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SCJ charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for JPAN.

Performance

SCJ vs. JPAN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) and Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN). 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 lower than JPAN's 17.64% 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%

JPAN

• 1D: 0.52%
• 1M: 7.08%
• YTD: 17.64%
• 6M: 19.06%
• 1Y: 30.43%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCJ vs. JPAN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
SCJ iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF	14.35%	29.58%	3.41%	5.31%
JPAN Matthews Japan Active ETF	17.64%	22.96%	18.16%	5.77%

Correlation

The correlation between SCJ and JPAN is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2023	0.84

The correlation between SCJ and JPAN has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

SCJ vs. JPAN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SCJ	JPAN
Industrials	28.9%	25.5%
Consumer Cyclical	14.6%	12.4%
Technology	11.2%	21.7%
Basic Materials	10.1%	3.2%
Financial Services	9.7%	19.2%
Real Estate	8.4%	2.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	3.3%
Healthcare	4.4%	2.6%
Communication Services	2.9%	6.8%
Utilities	2.1%	-
Energy	0.8%	0.7%

Return for Risk

SCJ vs. JPAN — 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

JPAN

JPAN Risk / Return Rank: 45
JPAN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
JPAN Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
JPAN Omega Ratio Rank: 46
JPAN Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
JPAN Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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. JPAN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) and Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN). 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	JPAN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	1.56	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.30	+0.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.29	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.49	2.09	+0.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.42	7.47	+0.95
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. JPAN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is comparable to the JPAN Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCJ and JPAN, 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	JPAN	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	1.56	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	1.29	-0.98

Drawdowns

SCJ vs. JPAN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCJ drawdown since its inception was -43.52%, which is greater than JPAN's maximum drawdown of -15.24%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCJ and JPAN.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCJ	JPAN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.52%	-15.24%	-28.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.17%	-14.59%	+2.42%
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	-1.82%	0.00%	-1.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.38%	-3.09%	-7.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.59%	4.08%	-0.49%

Volatility

SCJ vs. JPAN - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI Japan Small Cap ETF (SCJ) is 4.03%, while Matthews Japan Active ETF (JPAN) has a volatility of 4.59%. This indicates that SCJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JPAN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCJ	JPAN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.03%	4.59%	-0.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.13%	15.68%	-2.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.11%	19.63%	-3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.81%	19.26%	-3.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.29%	19.26%	-2.97%

SCJ vs. JPAN - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCJ has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is lower than JPAN's 0.79% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCJ vs. JPAN - Dividend Comparison

SCJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, less than JPAN's 4.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JPAN Matthews Japan Active ETF	4.34%	5.10%	1.53%	0.51%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 JPAN in my portfolio?

SCJ and JPAN have a correlation of 0.85, 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 JPAN?

JPAN has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to SCJ (4.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCJ dropped -43.52% vs JPAN's -15.24%.

Which ETF is better, SCJ or JPAN?

On 1-year performance, JPAN leads with 30.43% vs 30.15% for SCJ. On fees, SCJ is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, SCJ has been the lower-risk option at 4.03%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCJ or JPAN?

Over the 1-year period, JPAN has performed better with a 30.43% return vs 30.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCJ or JPAN?

SCJ is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for JPAN.

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

JPAN has the higher dividend yield at 4.34%, compared with 2.75% for SCJ.

What is the main difference between SCJ and JPAN?

They also come from different issuers: iShares and Matthews. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for SCJ and 0.79% for JPAN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 1.56), 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.