EWJ vs NBJP
iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF
Which is better, EWJ or NBJP?
EWJ has been ahead.
EWJ has a lower expense ratio. EWJ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. EWJ is less concentrated, with 30.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | EWJ | NBJP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $23.1B | $123M |
| Dividend Yield | 3.72% | 1.95% |
| Holdings | 173 | 65 |
| YTD Return | +20.31%Best | +16.74% |
| 1Y Return | +28.02%Best | +27.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.17% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.12% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.6%Best | 15.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.7% | -14.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $14,840Best | $14,832 |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.1%Best | 36.3% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Neuberger Berman |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 12, 1996 | Sep 11, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 12, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (2.1 years).
EWJ vs NBJP growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 2.1 years both funds cover.
EWJ vs NBJP Performance
iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Neuberger Berman Japan Equity ETF (NBJP) is an ETF from Neuberger Berman. Over the past year EWJ returned +28.02% while NBJP returned +27.52%. Year to date, EWJ is up 20.31% versus a gain of 16.74% for NBJP.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NBJP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.9% compared with 12.6% for EWJ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -14.7% for EWJ and -14.3% for NBJP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWJ charges 0.49% per year while NBJP charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $50 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWJ currently yields 3.72% against 1.95% for NBJP.
Holdings Overlap
27.2% of EWJ's money is in holdings NBJP also owns. 54.8% of NBJP's money is in holdings EWJ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
30 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in EWJ and 58 in NBJP, against full books of 173 and 65.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 0 positions for NBJP that do not appear in our book for EWJ (0.0% of the fund), and 1 for EWJ that do not appear in NBJP (0.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in EWJ | Weight in NBJP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8411:JPMizuho Financial Group Inc. Com Stk | 2.43% | 4.96% | 2.53% |
| 8766:JPTokio Marine Holdings, Inc. Shs | 1.73% | 4.82% | 3.09% |
| 8308:JPResona Holdings, Inc. Com Stk | 0.64% | 5.25% | 4.61% |
| 6501:JPHitachi Ltd | 2.79% | 2.21% | 0.58% |
| 8015:JPToyota Tsusho Corp. Com Stk | 0.58% | 3.93% | 3.35% |
| 6098:JPRecruit Holdings Co. Ltd. Com Stk | 2.49% | 1.97% | 0.52% |
| 8001:JPItochu Corp | 1.54% | 2.27% | 0.73% |
| 6758:JPSony Group Corp. | 2.56% | 0.96% | 1.60% |
| 7974:JPNintendo Co Ltd | 1.07% | 2.36% | 1.29% |
| 7011:JPMitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Com Stk | 1.44% | 1.86% | 0.42% |
54.8% of NBJP is already inside EWJ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EWJ or NBJP?
EWJ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while NBJP charges 0.50%. EWJ is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWJ or NBJP?
Over the past year EWJ returned +28.02% vs +27.52% for NBJP, so EWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), EWJ annualized +20.68% vs +20.65% for NBJP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWJ or NBJP?
NBJP has been the more volatile fund at 15.9% annualized versus 12.6% for EWJ. Worst drawdown: EWJ -14.7% vs NBJP -14.3%.
Should I hold both EWJ and NBJP?
EWJ and NBJP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between EWJ and NBJP?
54.8% of NBJP's money is in holdings EWJ also owns. 54.8% of NBJP's is in holdings EWJ also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 168 positions we hold weights for in EWJ and 58 in NBJP.
Which pays a higher dividend, EWJ or NBJP?
EWJ yields 3.72% while NBJP yields 1.95%, so EWJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is NBJP better than EWJ?
EWJ has a lower expense ratio. EWJ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. EWJ is less concentrated, with 30.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 36.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.