VJPA.DE vs. VGK

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VJPA.DE (Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating) and VGK (Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VJPA.DE is a Japan Equities fund tracking the FTSE Japan, while VGK is a Europe Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VJPA.DE returned 9.76%/yr vs 9.49%/yr for VGK. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VJPA.DE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for VGK.

Performance

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a €10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating (VJPA.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VJPA.DE is traded in EUR, while VGK is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the VGK values have been converted to EUR using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VJPA.DE achieves a 15.84% return, which is significantly higher than VGK's 9.35% return.

VJPA.DE

• 1D: 2.35%
• 1M: 1.03%
• YTD: 15.84%
• 6M: 16.53%
• 1Y: 31.52%
• 3Y*: 14.11%
• 5Y*: 9.76%
• 10Y*: —

VGK

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 3.37%
• YTD: 9.35%
• 6M: 11.54%
• 1Y: 19.55%
• 3Y*: 14.01%
• 5Y*: 9.49%
• 10Y*: 9.92%

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

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VJPA.DE Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating	15.84%	13.28%	13.06%	15.84%	-11.43%	9.42%	4.85%	-6.04%
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	9.35%	19.71%	8.60%	16.58%	-10.77%	25.63%	-3.26%	7.51%

Correlation

The correlation between VJPA.DE and VGK is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2019	0.47

The correlation between VJPA.DE and VGK has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VJPA.DE vs. VGK — Risk / Return Rank

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

VJPA.DE

VJPA.DE Risk / Return Rank: 63
VJPA.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VJPA.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VJPA.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VJPA.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
VJPA.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 65

VGK

VGK Risk / Return Rank: 36
VGK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VGK Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
VGK Omega Ratio Rank: 34
VGK Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VGK Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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.

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating (VJPA.DE) and Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK). 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.

	VJPA.DE	VGK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	1.33	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.92	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.24	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	1.77	+1.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.55	7.25	+3.30

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VJPA.DE Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is comparable to the VGK Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VJPA.DE and VGK, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VJPA.DE drawdown since its inception was -30.84%, smaller than the maximum VGK drawdown of -58.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VJPA.DE and VGK.

Drawdown Indicators

	VJPA.DE	VGK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.84%	-58.19%	+27.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.84%	-10.30%	+0.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.01%	-15.24%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.90%	-21.12%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-37.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.87%	0.00%	-0.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.55%	-11.74%	+5.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	2.53%	+0.42%

Volatility

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating (VJPA.DE) is 4.21%, while Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF (VGK) has a volatility of 4.85%. This indicates that VJPA.DE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VGK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VJPA.DE	VGK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	4.85%	-0.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.88%	11.55%	+3.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.39%	13.73%	+4.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.24%	14.96%	+1.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.89%	17.22%	+0.67%

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Expense Ratio Comparison

VJPA.DE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VGK's 0.06% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VJPA.DE vs. VGK - Dividend Comparison

VJPA.DE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VGK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.76%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGK Vanguard FTSE Europe ETF	2.76%	2.86%	3.61%	3.15%	3.25%	3.05%	2.11%	3.27%	3.95%	2.70%	3.52%	3.25%
VJPA.DE Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Accumulating	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VJPA.DE and VGK in my portfolio?

VJPA.DE and VGK have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VJPA.DE or VGK?

On fees, VGK is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VJPA.DE or VGK?

VGK is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VJPA.DE.

What is the main difference between VJPA.DE and VGK?

VJPA.DE is categorized as Japan Equities, while VGK is Europe Equities. VJPA.DE tracks FTSE Japan, while VGK tracks FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VJPA.DE and 0.06% for VGK.