WSTAX vs. JOF

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

WSTAX (Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A) and JOF (Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund) are both mutual funds - WSTAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Nomura, while JOF is a Japan Equities fund managed by Nomura. Over the past 10 years, WSTAX returned 23.25%/yr vs 9.52%/yr for JOF. Their 0.50 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. WSTAX charges 1.17%/yr vs 0.01%/yr for JOF.

Performance

WSTAX vs. JOF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) and Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WSTAX achieves a 31.65% return, which is significantly higher than JOF's 8.15% return. Over the past 10 years, WSTAX has outperformed JOF with an annualized return of 23.25%, while JOF has yielded a comparatively lower 9.52% annualized return.

WSTAX

• 1D: 5.34%
• 1M: -3.36%
• 6M: 22.27%
• YTD: 31.65%
• 1Y: 49.56%
• 3Y*: 44.90%
• 5Y*: 21.87%
• 10Y*: 23.25%
• ALL TIME*: 12.44%

JOF

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: -2.11%
• 6M: 3.75%
• YTD: 8.15%
• 1Y: 28.77%
• 3Y*: 22.85%
• 5Y*: 10.80%
• 10Y*: 9.52%
• ALL TIME*: 3.51%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	$1.05M	$925.90K	$855.55K
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

WSTAX vs. JOF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	31.65%	33.91%	59.64%	40.44%	-32.50%	14.19%	36.12%	50.35%	-5.23%	32.77%
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	8.15%	52.12%	5.28%	21.40%	-17.07%	-6.15%	4.76%	16.62%	-15.66%	40.78%

Correlation

The correlation between WSTAX and JOF is 0.49, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.45
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2000	0.50

Return for Risk

WSTAX vs. JOF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

WSTAX

WSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
WSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
WSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
WSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 62
WSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
WSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 71

JOF

JOF Risk / Return Rank: 48
JOF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
JOF Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
JOF Omega Ratio Rank: 54
JOF Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
JOF Martin Ratio Rank: 30

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

WSTAX vs. JOF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) and Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF). 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.

	WSTAX	JOF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	1.45	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.15	2.00	+0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.26	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	1.70	+1.07
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.73	4.43	+4.30

WSTAX vs. JOF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WSTAX Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the JOF Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WSTAX and JOF, 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

WSTAX vs. JOF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WSTAX drawdown since its inception was -55.39%, smaller than the maximum JOF drawdown of -74.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WSTAX and JOF.

Drawdown Indicators

	WSTAX	JOF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.39%	-74.98%	+19.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.73%	-17.21%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.35%	-17.21%	-10.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.39%	-37.03%	-18.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-55.39%	-42.37%	-13.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.75%	-7.37%	-2.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.89%	-32.60%	+17.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.30%	6.61%	-1.31%

Volatility

WSTAX vs. JOF - Volatility Comparison

Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A (WSTAX) has a higher volatility of 10.23% compared to Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund (JOF) at 5.28%. This indicates that WSTAX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JOF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WSTAX	JOF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.23%	5.28%	+4.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.94%	16.35%	+7.59%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	28.62%	20.23%	+8.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	37.65%	17.21%	+20.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.01%	17.61%	+13.40%

WSTAX vs. JOF - Expense Ratio Comparison

WSTAX has a 1.17% expense ratio, which is higher than JOF's 0.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

WSTAX vs. JOF - Dividend Comparison

WSTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.91%, more than JOF's 9.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JOF Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund	9.45%	4.80%	4.07%	3.50%	0.71%	7.70%	3.81%	8.30%	20.55%	15.89%	9.63%	8.58%
WSTAX Nomura Science and Technology Fund Class A	13.91%	18.32%	36.08%	11.62%	33.72%	42.99%	8.89%	11.48%	13.99%	6.95%	0.00%	2.50%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WSTAX and JOF in my portfolio?

WSTAX and JOF have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WSTAX or JOF?

WSTAX has higher volatility (10.23%) compared to JOF (5.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WSTAX dropped -55.39% vs JOF's -74.98%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs 1.45), 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.