ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZPDJ.DE (SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF) and EXX7.DE (iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE)) are both Japan Equities funds - ZPDJ.DE tracks the MSCI Japan while EXX7.DE tracks the Nikkei 225®. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZPDJ.DE returned 9.18%/yr vs 11.53%/yr for EXX7.DE. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZPDJ.DE charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.51%/yr for EXX7.DE.

Performance

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a €10,000 investment in SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF (ZPDJ.DE) and iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE) (EXX7.DE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZPDJ.DE achieves a 16.79% return, which is significantly lower than EXX7.DE's 31.92% return. Over the past 10 years, ZPDJ.DE has underperformed EXX7.DE with an annualized return of 9.18%, while EXX7.DE has yielded a comparatively higher 11.53% annualized return.

ZPDJ.DE

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.68%
• YTD: 16.79%
• 6M: 16.66%
• 1Y: 31.89%
• 3Y*: 15.52%
• 5Y*: 10.06%
• 10Y*: 9.18%

EXX7.DE

• 1D: -1.45%
• 1M: 7.58%
• YTD: 31.92%
• 6M: 30.07%
• 1Y: 59.87%
• 3Y*: 20.28%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 11.53%

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

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZPDJ.DE SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF	16.79%	12.60%	13.75%	16.51%	-12.51%	9.97%	5.16%	21.83%	-9.81%	9.06%
EXX7.DE iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE)	31.92%	15.64%	13.98%	17.46%	-15.88%	3.04%	13.62%	24.16%	-5.34%	10.10%

Correlation

The correlation between ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE is 0.86, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 2, 2015	0.93

The correlation between ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZPDJ.DE

ZPDJ.DE Risk / Return Rank: 54
ZPDJ.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ZPDJ.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
ZPDJ.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 52
ZPDJ.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
ZPDJ.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

EXX7.DE

EXX7.DE Risk / Return Rank: 78
EXX7.DE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
EXX7.DE Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
EXX7.DE Omega Ratio Rank: 72
EXX7.DE Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
EXX7.DE Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF (ZPDJ.DE) and iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE) (EXX7.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.

	ZPDJ.DE	EXX7.DE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.64	2.50	-0.86
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	3.61	-1.11
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.42	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.06	4.52	-1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.86	13.72	-3.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZPDJ.DE Sharpe Ratio is 1.64, which is lower than the EXX7.DE Sharpe Ratio of 2.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.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

	ZPDJ.DE	EXX7.DE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.64	2.50	-0.86
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.60	0.63	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56	0.65	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.39	+0.05

Drawdowns

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZPDJ.DE drawdown since its inception was -28.06%, smaller than the maximum EXX7.DE drawdown of -50.57%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZPDJ.DE	EXX7.DE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.06%	-50.57%	+22.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.98%	-12.97%	+2.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.90%	-20.63%	+3.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.10%	-21.40%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.06%	-29.83%	+1.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.45%	-1.45%	+1.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.93%	-12.03%	+6.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.10%	4.28%	-1.18%

Volatility

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF (ZPDJ.DE) is 3.60%, while iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE) (EXX7.DE) has a volatility of 6.61%. This indicates that ZPDJ.DE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than EXX7.DE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZPDJ.DE	EXX7.DE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.60%	6.61%	-3.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.86%	18.46%	-3.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.62%	23.46%	-4.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.57%	18.55%	-1.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.40%	17.72%	-1.32%

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZPDJ.DE has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than EXX7.DE's 0.51% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZPDJ.DE vs. EXX7.DE - Dividend Comparison

ZPDJ.DE has not paid dividends to shareholders, while EXX7.DE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXX7.DE iShares Nikkei 225 UCITS ETF (DE)	0.77%	0.92%	0.94%	1.17%	1.31%	0.81%	1.00%	1.21%	0.74%	1.19%	1.35%	1.29%
ZPDJ.DE SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF	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 ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE in my portfolio?

ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZPDJ.DE or EXX7.DE?

On fees, ZPDJ.DE is cheaper at 0.12% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZPDJ.DE or EXX7.DE?

ZPDJ.DE is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.51% for EXX7.DE.

What is the main difference between ZPDJ.DE and EXX7.DE?

ZPDJ.DE tracks MSCI Japan, while EXX7.DE tracks Nikkei 225®. They also come from different issuers: State Street and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for ZPDJ.DE and 0.51% for EXX7.DE.