VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VJPN.DE (Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing) and VUSA.DE (Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VJPN.DE is a Japan Equities fund tracking the TOPIX TR JPY, while VUSA.DE is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Net Total Return. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VJPN.DE returned 9.91%/yr vs 14.76%/yr for VUSA.DE. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VJPN.DE charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VUSA.DE.

Performance

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a €10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.DE) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.DE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VJPN.DE achieves a 16.51% return, which is significantly higher than VUSA.DE's 11.38% return.

VJPN.DE

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 3.70%
• YTD: 16.51%
• 6M: 16.78%
• 1Y: 31.52%
• 3Y*: 15.46%
• 5Y*: 9.91%
• 10Y*: 9.12%

VUSA.DE

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 4.37%
• YTD: 11.38%
• 6M: 10.86%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 18.87%
• 5Y*: 14.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VJPN.DE Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	16.51%	13.28%	13.05%	15.88%	-11.76%	9.73%	4.96%	21.66%	-10.15%	4.50%
VUSA.DE Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	11.38%	4.74%	32.32%	22.44%	-14.26%	40.76%	6.77%	34.46%	-1.12%	2.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE 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	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2017	0.61

The correlation between VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.61 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VJPN.DE

VJPN.DE Risk / Return Rank: 56
VJPN.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VJPN.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VJPN.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 53
VJPN.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VJPN.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 59

VUSA.DE

VUSA.DE Risk / Return Rank: 69
VUSA.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VUSA.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VUSA.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 70
VUSA.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VUSA.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.DE) and Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.DE). 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.

	VJPN.DE	VUSA.DE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.20	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.52	2.99	-0.47
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.41	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.12	3.57	-0.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	12.71	-2.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VJPN.DE Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VUSA.DE Sharpe Ratio of 2.20. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE, 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

	VJPN.DE	VUSA.DE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.20	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.96	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.89	-0.34

Drawdowns

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VJPN.DE drawdown since its inception was -28.32%, smaller than the maximum VUSA.DE drawdown of -33.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VJPN.DE	VUSA.DE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.32%	-33.63%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.71%	-7.13%	-2.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.03%	-23.24%	+7.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.86%	-23.24%	+4.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.36%	-0.44%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.87%	-4.40%	-1.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	2.01%	+0.90%

Volatility

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing (VJPN.DE) has a higher volatility of 3.35% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUSA.DE) at 2.68%. This indicates that VJPN.DE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUSA.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VJPN.DE	VUSA.DE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.35%	2.68%	+0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.54%	7.59%	+6.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.10%	11.58%	+6.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	15.17%	+1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.28%	16.77%	+0.51%

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VJPN.DE has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than VUSA.DE's 0.07% 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

VJPN.DE vs. VUSA.DE - Dividend Comparison

VJPN.DE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.66%, more than VUSA.DE's 0.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VJPN.DE Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF Distributing	1.66%	1.91%	1.93%	1.91%	2.22%	1.65%	1.62%	1.80%	1.94%	1.49%	1.55%	1.29%
VUSA.DE Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF	0.87%	0.97%	1.00%	1.25%	1.45%	1.02%	1.43%	1.45%	1.74%	0.41%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE in my portfolio?

VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE 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, VJPN.DE or VUSA.DE?

On fees, VUSA.DE is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VJPN.DE or VUSA.DE?

VUSA.DE is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for VJPN.DE.

What is the main difference between VJPN.DE and VUSA.DE?

VJPN.DE is categorized as Japan Equities, while VUSA.DE is S&P 500. VJPN.DE tracks TOPIX TR JPY, while VUSA.DE tracks S&P 500 Net Total Return. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for VJPN.DE and 0.07% for VUSA.DE.