THD vs. AAXJ
THD (iShares MSCI Thailand ETF) and AAXJ (iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds from iShares - THD tracks the MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index while AAXJ tracks the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, THD returned 3.71%/yr vs 11.03%/yr for AAXJ. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. THD charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for AAXJ.
Performance
THD vs. AAXJ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, THD achieves a 22.58% return, which is significantly lower than AAXJ's 33.87% return. Over the past 10 years, THD has underperformed AAXJ with an annualized return of 3.71%, while AAXJ has yielded a comparatively higher 11.03% annualized return.
THD
- 1D
- -1.18%
- 1M
- 0.76%
- YTD
- 22.58%
- 6M
- 20.48%
- 1Y
- 51.99%
- 3Y*
- 6.45%
- 5Y*
- 1.30%
- 10Y*
- 3.71%
AAXJ
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 9.27%
- YTD
- 33.87%
- 6M
- 35.70%
- 1Y
- 58.69%
- 3Y*
- 26.00%
- 5Y*
- 7.94%
- 10Y*
- 11.03%
THD vs. AAXJ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
THD iShares MSCI Thailand ETF | 22.58% | 2.36% | -2.21% | -12.63% | 1.22% | 1.87% | -9.89% | 8.32% | -8.25% | 31.45% |
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 33.87% | 31.53% | 10.41% | 4.79% | -20.35% | -5.73% | 23.35% | 17.93% | -15.04% | 41.76% |
Correlation
The correlation between THD and AAXJ is 0.56, 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 | 0.56 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.63 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2008 | 0.67 |
The correlation between THD and AAXJ shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (3 years) to 0.67 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
THD vs. AAXJ - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
THD
AAXJ
Industrials
Energy
Financial Services
Communication Services
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Healthcare
Real Estate
Consumer Cyclical
Basic Materials
Technology
Industrials
THD
AAXJ
Energy
THD
AAXJ
Financial Services
THD
AAXJ
Communication Services
THD
AAXJ
Consumer Defensive
THD
AAXJ
Utilities
THD
AAXJ
Healthcare
THD
AAXJ
Real Estate
THD
AAXJ
Consumer Cyclical
THD
AAXJ
Basic Materials
THD
AAXJ
Technology
THD
AAXJ
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Return for Risk
THD vs. AAXJ — Risk / Return Rank
THD
AAXJ
THD vs. AAXJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Thailand ETF (THD) and iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ). 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.
| THD | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.49 | -0.11 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.98 | 4.32 | -0.34 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.60 | 15.85 | -4.25 |
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Drawdowns
THD vs. AAXJ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum THD drawdown since its inception was -64.22%, which is greater than AAXJ's maximum drawdown of -49.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for THD and AAXJ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| THD | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.22% | -49.37% | -14.85% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.12% | -13.66% | +0.54% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.11% | -19.74% | -14.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -40.24% | -40.64% | +0.40% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -49.32% | -44.52% | -4.80% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.99% | 0.00% | -9.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.25% | -14.00% | -4.25% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.50% | 3.71% | +0.79% |
Volatility
THD vs. AAXJ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares MSCI Thailand ETF (THD) is 5.56%, while iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF (AAXJ) has a volatility of 11.68%. This indicates that THD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AAXJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| THD | AAXJ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.56% | 11.68% | -6.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.67% | 20.21% | -1.54% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.92% | 22.59% | +0.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.90% | 20.45% | -0.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.61% | 20.48% | +1.13% |
THD vs. AAXJ - Expense Ratio Comparison
THD has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than AAXJ's 0.68% expense ratio.
Dividends
THD vs. AAXJ - Dividend Comparison
THD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.54%, more than AAXJ's 1.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AAXJ iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex-Japan ETF | 1.24% | 1.81% | 1.86% | 1.95% | 1.74% | 2.21% | 1.06% | 1.83% | 2.10% | 1.99% | 1.77% | 2.44% |
THD iShares MSCI Thailand ETF | 3.54% | 3.36% | 3.15% | 2.92% | 2.41% | 3.16% | 2.31% | 2.42% | 2.57% | 2.16% | 2.61% | 3.58% |
Frequently Asked Questions
THD and AAXJ have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AAXJ has higher volatility (11.68%) compared to THD (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, THD dropped -64.22% vs AAXJ's -49.37%.
On 10-year performance, AAXJ leads with 11.03% vs 3.71% for THD. On fees, THD is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, THD has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, AAXJ has performed better with a 11.03% return vs 3.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
THD is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for AAXJ.
THD has the higher dividend yield at 3.54%, compared with 1.24% for AAXJ.
THD tracks MSCI Thailand Investable Market Index, while AAXJ tracks MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for THD and 0.68% for AAXJ.
AAXJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.28), 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.
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