VPL vs. FLJH

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VPL (Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF) and FLJH (Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VPL is a Asia Pacific Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while FLJH is a Japan Equities fund tracking the FTSE Japan RIC Capped Hedged to USD Net Tax Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VPL returned 9.14%/yr vs 21.04%/yr for FLJH. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VPL charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for FLJH.

Performance

VPL vs. FLJH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF (FLJH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VPL having a 21.68% return and FLJH slightly lower at 21.27%.

VPL

• 1D: -3.32%
• 1M: -4.08%
• 6M: 15.16%
• YTD: 21.68%
• 1Y: 40.48%
• 3Y*: 19.23%
• 5Y*: 9.14%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

FLJH

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: 2.04%
• 6M: 14.20%
• YTD: 21.27%
• 1Y: 45.96%
• 3Y*: 27.94%
• 5Y*: 21.04%
• 10Y*: —

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

VPL vs. FLJH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	21.68%	32.66%	1.68%	15.58%	-15.20%	1.10%	16.65%	18.16%	-14.40%	2.76%
FLJH Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF	21.27%	25.26%	25.89%	36.02%	-2.75%	12.68%	10.65%	20.34%	-14.66%	1.26%

Correlation

The correlation between VPL and FLJH is 0.78, 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	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2017	0.73

The correlation between VPL and FLJH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

VPL vs. FLJH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VPL	FLJH
Technology	28.2%	19.4%
Industrials	18.5%	25.2%
Financial Services	17.8%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	12.7%
Basic Materials	7.1%	4.4%
Communication Services	4.9%	8.0%
Healthcare	4.4%	5.5%
Real Estate	3.8%	3.0%
Consumer Defensive	3.2%	4.0%
Utilities	1.4%	1.2%
Energy	1.3%	0.9%

Return for Risk

VPL vs. FLJH — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPL

VPL Risk / Return Rank: 70
VPL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VPL Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VPL Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VPL Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VPL Martin Ratio Rank: 74

FLJH

FLJH Risk / Return Rank: 89
FLJH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FLJH Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
FLJH Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FLJH Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FLJH Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

VPL vs. FLJH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) and Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF (FLJH). 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.

	VPL	FLJH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.78	2.41	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.33	3.20	-0.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.44	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.05	4.28	-1.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.84	16.18	-5.33

VPL vs. FLJH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPL Sharpe Ratio is 1.78, which is comparable to the FLJH Sharpe Ratio of 2.41. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPL and FLJH, 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

VPL vs. FLJH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPL drawdown since its inception was -55.49%, which is greater than FLJH's maximum drawdown of -31.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPL and FLJH.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPL	FLJH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.49%	-31.51%	-23.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.33%	-10.80%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-20.39%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.09%	-20.39%	-10.70%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.90%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.89%	-3.22%	-5.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.60%	-5.28%	-6.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	2.85%	+0.89%

Volatility

VPL vs. FLJH - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF (VPL) has a higher volatility of 10.84% compared to Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF (FLJH) at 7.11%. This indicates that VPL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FLJH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPL	FLJH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.84%	7.11%	+3.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.79%	15.13%	+5.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.93%	19.20%	+3.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.10%	18.72%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.60%	19.88%	-2.28%

VPL vs. FLJH - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than FLJH's 0.09% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPL vs. FLJH - Dividend Comparison

VPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.75%, more than FLJH's 2.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FLJH Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF	2.48%	3.90%	5.06%	25.59%	26.67%	1.29%	0.00%	0.00%	5.92%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
VPL Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF	2.75%	4.01%	3.15%	3.12%	2.75%	3.19%	1.81%	2.84%	3.06%	2.57%	2.65%	2.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPL and FLJH in my portfolio?

VPL and FLJH have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPL or FLJH?

VPL has higher volatility (10.84%) compared to FLJH (7.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPL dropped -55.49% vs FLJH's -31.51%.

Which ETF is better, VPL or FLJH?

On 5-year performance, FLJH leads with 21.04% vs 9.14% for VPL. On fees, VPL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FLJH has been the lower-risk option at 7.11%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VPL or FLJH?

Over the 5-year period, FLJH has performed better with a 21.04% return vs 9.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VPL or FLJH?

VPL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.09% for FLJH.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VPL or FLJH?

VPL has the higher dividend yield at 2.75%, compared with 2.48% for FLJH.

What is the main difference between VPL and FLJH?

VPL is categorized as Asia Pacific Equities, while FLJH is Japan Equities. VPL tracks FTSE Developed Asia Pacific Index, while FLJH tracks FTSE Japan RIC Capped Hedged to USD Net Tax Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Franklin Templeton. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for VPL and 0.09% for FLJH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FLJH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.41 vs 1.78), 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.