PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SJPA.L (iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF) and VJPN.L (Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing) are both Japan Equities funds tracking the TOPIX TR JPY, from iShares and Vanguard respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SJPA.L returned 10.10%/yr vs 11.10%/yr for VJPN.L. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.15% expense ratio.

Performance

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a £10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF (SJPA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Different Trading Currencies

SJPA.L is traded in GBp, while VJPN.L is traded in GBP. To make them comparable, the VJPN.L values have been converted to GBp using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SJPA.L having a 16.31% return and VJPN.L slightly higher at 16.32%. Over the past 10 years, SJPA.L has underperformed VJPN.L with an annualized return of 10.10%, while VJPN.L has yielded a comparatively higher 11.10% annualized return.

SJPA.L

1D
-0.10%
1M
6.32%
YTD
16.31%
6M
15.92%
1Y
33.90%
3Y*
15.64%
5Y*
10.02%
10Y*
10.10%

VJPN.L

1D
0.70%
1M
6.43%
YTD
16.32%
6M
16.26%
1Y
35.06%
3Y*
16.39%
5Y*
10.73%
10Y*
11.10%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SJPA.L
iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF		16.31%18.19%8.36%12.76%-6.21%1.62%11.03%14.68%-9.15%14.69%
VJPN.L
Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing		16.32%18.86%9.05%14.00%-5.70%2.26%12.84%14.56%-8.37%14.72%

Correlation

The correlation between SJPA.L and VJPN.L is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.99

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.99

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.99

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.99

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 25, 2013

0.99

The correlation between SJPA.L and VJPN.L has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SJPA.L
VJPN.L

Industrials

25.7%
26.6%

Technology

18.6%
17.4%

Financial Services

16.4%
15.9%

Consumer Cyclical

12.4%
12.8%

Communication Services

7.5%
7.1%

Healthcare

5.6%
5.9%

Basic Materials

4.5%
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

4.2%
4.2%

Real Estate

3.1%
3.4%

Utilities

1.2%
1.3%

Energy

0.9%
1.0%

Industrials

SJPA.L
25.7%
VJPN.L
26.6%

Technology

SJPA.L
18.6%
VJPN.L
17.4%

Financial Services

SJPA.L
16.4%
VJPN.L
15.9%

Consumer Cyclical

SJPA.L
12.4%
VJPN.L
12.8%

Communication Services

SJPA.L
7.5%
VJPN.L
7.1%

Healthcare

SJPA.L
5.6%
VJPN.L
5.9%

Basic Materials

SJPA.L
4.5%
VJPN.L
4.3%

Consumer Defensive

SJPA.L
4.2%
VJPN.L
4.2%

Real Estate

SJPA.L
3.1%
VJPN.L
3.4%

Utilities

SJPA.L
1.2%
VJPN.L
1.3%

Energy

SJPA.L
0.9%
VJPN.L
1.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF

Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing

Often compared with SJPA.L:
SJPA.L vs. LCJP.LSJPA.L vs. CSJP.LSJPA.L vs. XAUUSD=XSJPA.L vs. CNKY.LSJPA.L vs. PRIJ.LSJPA.L vs. N1ES.DESJPA.L vs. PADV.L
Often compared with VJPN.L:
VJPN.L vs. XDJP.LVJPN.L vs. VJPN.DEVJPN.L vs. EEJG.LVJPN.L vs. LGJG.LVJPN.L vs. JEMAVJPN.L vs. VUSA.LVJPN.L vs. VOO

Return for Risk

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SJPA.L
SJPA.L Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
SJPA.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5858
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SJPA.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
SJPA.L Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
SJPA.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
SJPA.L Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
VJPN.L
VJPN.L Risk / Return Rank: 6060
Overall Rank
VJPN.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VJPN.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
VJPN.L Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
VJPN.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
VJPN.L Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF (SJPA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L). 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.

SJPA.LVJPN.LDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.92
1.91

+0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.74
2.75

-0.01

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.37

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.15

3.20

-0.05

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.28

10.40

-0.13

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SJPA.L Sharpe Ratio is 1.92, which is comparable to the VJPN.L Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SJPA.L and VJPN.L, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

SJPA.LVJPN.LDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.92

1.91

+0.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

0.69

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.64

0.70

-0.05

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.57

0.62

-0.05

Drawdowns

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SJPA.L drawdown since its inception was -24.73%, roughly equal to the maximum VJPN.L drawdown of -25.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SJPA.L and VJPN.L.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

SJPA.LVJPN.LDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.73%

-25.19%

+0.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-10.71%

-10.68%

-0.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-13.45%

-13.45%

0.00%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-18.93%

-17.91%

-1.02%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.73%

-25.19%

+0.46%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.10%

0.00%

-0.10%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.68%

-5.26%

-1.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.29%

3.29%

0.00%

Volatility

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF (SJPA.L) and Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.L) have volatilities of 3.82% and 3.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

SJPA.LVJPN.LDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.82%

3.85%

-0.03%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.40%

14.62%

-0.22%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.60%

17.91%

-0.31%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.35%

15.50%

-0.15%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

15.69%

15.90%

-0.21%

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SJPA.L and VJPN.L have an expense ratio of 0.15%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SJPA.L vs. VJPN.L - Dividend Comparison

SJPA.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VJPN.L's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.23%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
SJPA.L
iShares Core MSCI Japan IMI UCITS ETF		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
VJPN.L
Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing		2.23%2.54%2.47%2.39%2.64%2.31%2.14%2.36%2.55%1.94%2.04%2.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.99, SJPA.L and VJPN.L move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Both ETFs have the same 0.15% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

SJPA.L and VJPN.L have the same expense ratio: 0.15% per year.

Both ETFs track TOPIX TR JPY. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for SJPA.L and VJPN.L

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer